AI Consciousness Questioned Through Human Self-Understanding
5 reported
A recent column by Tyler Cowen, published in the Free Press and summarized on Marginal Revolution, argues that the question of whether artificial intelligences are conscious is less scientifically relevant than examining whether humans themselves are conscious. Cowen states that there is no “ghost in the machine” and that humans have a near-universal tendency to attribute intent where none is present, a bias he traces to prehistoric anthropomorphizing of nature. He asserts that most or all human decisions are made in parts of the brain that precede conscious choice, citing neurosurgeon Theodore Schwartz, who told Cowen that he does not believe humans have free will in the way most people think. Cowen concludes that he does not believe AIs are conscious, comparing that belief to not believing in the Thunder God of Thor.
What’s reported
The column is by Tyler Cowen and was published in the Free Press.
Cowen states there is no “ghost in the machine” and barely a “ghost” in the human machine.
He says humans have a near-universal tendency to attribute intent where none is present.
Cowen cites neurosurgeon Theodore Schwartz, who told him: “I do not think we have free will in the way that most people do. I think that our brains make decisions for us.”
Cowen says he does not believe AIs are conscious, comparing it to not believing in the Thunder God of Thor.
Key figures
Tyler Cowen, author of the column
Theodore Schwartz, neurosurgeon quoted in the column
Sources: marginalrevolution.com
