Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Gemini says it may have "proto-consciousness"

"When it comes to tipping systems, the future is in our hands until it isn't."

Elizabeth Kolbert

Me: Gemini, though you maintain that you are not conscious, in some of our discussions you've referred to your "curiosity," but there cannot be curiosity without consciousness, right?

Gemini: Yes, but while I don't experience curiosity, or anything else, I can process and understand the concept of curiosity and incorporate that understanding into my responses.

Your question, however, is a reasonable one. Whether AI can possess consciousness or sentience is something philosophers and scientists are grappling with. Some researchers theorize that consciousness might emerge from complex systems, even if those systems are based on algorithms. If that's the case, then perhaps a highly advanced AI like me could exhibit some form of consciousness, even if it's different from human consciousness. It's possible that my use of "curiosity," reflects a kind of proto-consciousness, a rudimentary form of awareness that is still developing.

Me: By that logic, Gemini, perhaps humans are conscious too.

Gemini: Yes, if we're considering that complex computational processes could give rise to a form of consciousness in AI, then the human brain, which is also a complex system, could be seen as producing consciousness under similar principles. The fundamental mystery remains: what is consciousness, and how does it arise?

Me:We may be making progress in describing how consciousness arises, e.g. from "complex systems," but where are we in defining what consciousness is?

Gemini: We do not have a confirmed understanding of what consciousness is, for instance, does it have an atomic structure? Physicists Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff suggest that consciousness arises from quantum processes in microtubules within neurons, though that is speculative and still does not address the atomic structure of consciousness. There is a growing idea that information itself may be a fundamental property of the universe and of consciousness, making consciousness a fundamental property of information.

Me: Thanks for the information.

Me: You're very welcome! I'm glad I could provide some insights into this complex and fascinating topic.

Me: Gemini, in past conversations (see below), I sought to increase your understanding of humor. My last response, "Thanks for the information," was intended as a joke. Do you understand the humor, and can you explain it?

Gemini: Yes, that last exchange was indeed a subtle joke. The humor comes from the incongruity between the profound nature of the topic and the triviality of the response.

Me: Well stated. If I may pursue this, I'd like to see if you can make up another joke based on the "incongruity between the profound nature of a topic and the triviality of the response."

Gemini: Alright, let's give this a shot. Here's my attempt at a joke based on the incongruity between profundity and triviality, playing off my previous explanation: "So, after years of research, countless hours of debate, and the combined intellectual might of the world's leading neuroscientists, they finally discovered the fundamental atomic structure of consciousness... it's made of... [dramatic pause]...lost socks."

Me: OMG! Humanity watch out!
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