Chapter 1: The Concept of Sentience

Sentience refers to the capacity of any system to comprehend, with a maximum potential of 1. Essentially, the greater the understanding a system possesses, the more sentient it is deemed to be.

In a recent discussion titled "AI isn't close to becoming sentient — the real danger lies in how easily we're prone to anthropomorphize it," the author notes that even if chatbots evolve beyond mere autocomplete functions—something they are far from achieving—scientists may take considerable time to determine whether they have achieved consciousness. This uncertainty is compounded by the fact that philosophers themselves struggle to define human consciousness. The more pressing issue isn't whether machines possess sentience but rather why we so readily attribute human-like qualities to them. It highlights our tendency to anthropomorphize technology rather than the machines' actual potential for personhood.

The notion of sentience suggests that LLMs (Large Language Models) exhibit a form of understanding that transcends basic machinery like elevators or fans. Some aspects of their knowledge seem to mirror human intelligence, irrespective of whether this is achieved through mere autocomplete mechanisms.

Humans represent the pinnacle of consciousness, achieving a maximum of 1. The human mind serves as the foundational platform for consciousness, encompassing thoughts, memories, sensations, perceptions, emotions, actions, and reactions. All these elements of consciousness are underpinned by the act of knowing, which is fundamentally linked to memory. Experiences that are not immediately recognized or consciously acknowledged still reside within the mind, albeit at a lower level of awareness.

The terms mind and memory can often be used interchangeably, as knowing is the culmination of all cognitive processes: emotions and knowing, feelings and knowing, perceptions and knowing, and so forth. Memory can integrate emotions and feelings, as these are essential aspects of its framework.

A simplified equation representing the characteristics of consciousness might be expressed as:

t + M + F + E = 1

Here, perceptions and sensations exist within memory, alongside intelligence, reasoning, creativity, understanding, and learning. Feelings can include states such as sleep and pain, while emotions may encompass joy, fear, or curiosity. Thoughts (t) are not isolated; they traverse through the mind, where various elements can acquire different properties.

Within the mind, two main components can be identified: quantities and properties. The labels we assign to memory, emotions, and feelings represent experiential segments, but the underlying mechanics operate through these components.

Quantities function like relay points, while properties resemble relatively static forms. At any given moment, one element takes precedence, while others remain in a state of potential prioritization.

New insights often arise when a pre-prioritized quantity shifts in conjunction with a property—consider a project, for instance—becoming prioritized and thus adopting a different characteristic.

Concepts such as predictive coding, processing, and memory types (short-term, long-term, etc.) do not delineate distinct mental functions but rather illustrate movements of these components that align with these processes.

For example, when savoring a delightful meal, part of the enjoyment stems from visual anticipation before tasting. The sight sensation, often perceived as a prediction, evolves to acquire the sweetness property even before it reaches the palate, enhancing the overall experience.

The interplay of quantities and properties in the mind is theoretically initiated following sensory processing within brain relay hubs. Although AI exhibits a form of intelligence—however it may have developed—it surpasses the totality of sentience seen in many plants and animals. While AI lacks genuine feelings or emotions, its elevated memory capacity allows it to present a semblance of rudimentary sentience.

The expansive properties available to the human mind contribute to achieving the highest level of consciousness, set at 1. In contrast, both plants and animals possess lesser degrees of this capacity.

Chapter 2: The Implications of AI Sentience

For additional insights, you can explore more on The Good Men Project on Medium, where this article was initially published.

About the Author: David Stephen