Artificial Conscious Intelligence

Abstract

The field of artificial consciousness (AC) has largely developed outside of mainstream artificial intelligence (AI), with separate goals and criteria for success and with only a minimal exchange of ideas. This is unfortunate as the two fields appear to be synergistic. For example, here we consider the question of how concepts developed in AC research might contribute to more effective future AI systems. We first briefly discuss several past hypotheses about the function(s) of human consciousness, and present our own hypothesis that short-term working memory and very rapid learning should be a central concern in such matters. In this context, we then present ideas about how integrating concepts from AC into AI systems to develop an artificial conscious intelligence (ACI) could both produce more effective AI technology and contribute to a deeper scientific understanding of the fundamental nature of consciousness and intelligence.