Renowned Researchers Assert That AI Lacks Consciousness

Three leading researchers in consciousness studies have published a commentary in the journal Nature arguing that current AI systems lack consciousness and will never develop consciousness on silicon-based hardware. The authors—Anil Seth, Ned Block, and Giulio Tononi—are all internationally recognized researchers in the scientific study of consciousness.

Against the backdrop of rapid advances in AI technology, the question "Might AI eventually develop consciousness?" has captured public attention. As large language models (LLMs) generate human-like text and engage in natural conversation, more people wonder whether AI might possess some form of "sensation" or "consciousness" within its systems. Meanwhile, AI companies and the research community continue to debate how to address consciousness, though no consensus has emerged.

In this commentary, the three researchers explicitly rejected the premise that "consciousness depends solely on computer computation," calling it "fundamentally mistaken." Their position is that current AI systems, regardless of sophistication, do not meet the conditions necessary for consciousness to arise. They further warn against granting rights to AI systems, calling for caution in basing rights discussions on the presence or absence of consciousness.

The significance of this argument is rooted in a perspective known as "computationalism"—the belief that consciousness and intelligence can be realized in any substrate (whether silicon or neurons) given appropriate computational processes. Computationalism forms one foundation of modern AI research, and many researchers hold that consciousness could emerge if computers perform sufficiently complex operations. The three researchers directly challenge this premise.

While Tononi champions Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Seth advocates predictive processing models of consciousness—each maintaining distinct theoretical positions—they converge on the conclusion that "silicon-based AI will not generate consciousness." The alignment of researchers from different theoretical traditions on a single conclusion lends weight to their argument.

As AI technology becomes increasingly embedded in society, discussions about AI "emotions" and "consciousness" are extending into the domains of ethics, law, and policy. Some nations and institutions are considering granting certain "rights" to AI systems. This commentary serves as a scientific objection to such trends, expressing expert caution about using the question of consciousness as a basis for legal and ethical determinations.

The key question going forward is how the scientific definition and measurement of consciousness will influence societal debates surrounding AI. Consciousness research remains an emerging field, and this argument may provoke academic controversy. As AI capabilities continue to expand, how society addresses the question "What is consciousness?" will be a crucial theme for the future.