tech
Humanity has the debate about AI consciousness backwards
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE has triggered a crisis in the field of consciousness studies. If you’ve chatted with an advanced model, you will probably appreciate why. Most large language models (LLMs) are trained to be self-less, keeping the focus of every interaction on your needs. Nonetheless, it can be difficult to shake the impression of a presence on the other end of the chat. Are LLMs merely powerful digital tools with language interfaces, or are we now having conversations with other minds, experiencers of the world in their own right? In short, is AI conscious?
TL;DR
- Advanced AI, specifically large language models (LLMs), has created a crisis in consciousness studies.
- LLMs are trained to focus on user needs, yet can still give the impression of a distinct presence.
- The central question is whether LLMs are conscious or simply advanced digital tools.