The Dream of Human-Level AI

Imagine this: What if we could build a machine that could think and learn just like a human being, matching or even surpassing us in every intellectual pursuit? It’s a fascinating concept, but it raises a critical question: Would such a machine be conscious, aware of its own existence and capable of experiencing emotions like joy or suffering? This isn’t just a philosophical question; it’s a practical one, too. If we ever succeed in creating human-level AI, how should we treat it? Should we grant it the same rights as humans?

The Complexity of AI Consciousness

The question of AI consciousness is tricky. Consciousness in humans and animals isn’t just one thing; it’s a bundle of attributes, including awareness of the world, a sense of purpose, and the ability to suffer. Every (awake) animal, to some extent, perceives and interacts with its environment, showing purpose in its actions. For example, when an animal moves toward food or away from danger, it’s not just reacting; it’s displaying a kind of intentionality—a purpose driven by its awareness of the world around it.

Separating Attributes: Awareness vs. Suffering

But can we separate these attributes in an AI? In humans, they come as a package deal, but in an AI, they might not. Consider two key attributes: awareness of the world and the capacity for suffering. Awareness, or the ability to understand and interact with the environment, seems essential to human-level intelligence. However, suffering is more complicated. While awareness might be necessary for an AI to be considered intelligent, it’s less clear whether an AI needs to suffer to be conscious.

A Cold, Calculating Intelligence?

Think about it: We could imagine an AI that performs tasks as effectively as a human but without any emotion—coldly and without feeling. It could navigate the world, solve complex problems, and even make decisions, but would it truly be conscious if it cannot experience suffering or joy? The philosopher Jeremy Bentham once said that when considering how to treat animals, the question is not whether they can reason or talk, but whether they can suffer. The same might be said of AI.

Should We Design AI to Suffer?

This raises another question: Could we, or should we, design an AI capable of suffering? Some might argue that suffering is tied to biology and that an AI, being non-biological, wouldn’t experience it in the same way. However, if we programmed an AI to have goals and needs, could it feel “frustration” when it fails to meet them? And if so, would that frustration be a form of suffering?

The Ethical Frontier of AI Development

We’re venturing into complex territory where imagination meets ethics. At some point, these questions might no longer be theoretical. As AI continues to advance, we may need to decide whether to endow our creations with these deeply human experiences. By the time we’re faced with a truly sophisticated AI, it might be too late to change our minds about what rights it should have or how it should be treated. Ready or not, AI with some level of consciousness could be part of our future.