Consciousness is Pattern Recognition

TL;DR

This paper presents a phenomenological proof that pattern recognition and subjective consciousness are equivalent, supporting the strong AI hypothesis and proposing a pathway for creating conscious machines through synthetic intentionality.

Contribution

It establishes a link between philosophical theories of consciousness and technical pattern recognition systems, demonstrating that consciousness is computable and proposing a new AI paradigm called synthetic intentionality.

Findings

Pattern recognition and consciousness are equivalent activities.

Consciousness processes are computable and can be implemented in machines.

Synthetic intentionality can synthesize, generalize, and operate on intentions.

Abstract

This is a proof of the strong AI hypothesis, i.e. that machines can be conscious. It is a phenomenological proof that pattern-recognition and subjective consciousness are the same activity in different terms. Therefore, it proves that essential subjective processes of consciousness are computable, and identifies significant traits and requirements of a conscious system. Since Husserl, many philosophers have accepted that consciousness consists of memories of logical connections between an ego and external objects. These connections are called "intentions." Pattern recognition systems are achievable technical artifacts. The proof links this respected introspective philosophical theory of consciousness with technical art. The proof therefore endorses the strong AI hypothesis and may therefore also enable a theoretically-grounded form of artificial intelligence called a "synthetic intentionality," able to synthesize, generalize, select and repeat intentions. If the pattern recognition is reflexive, able to operate on the set of intentions, and flexible, with several methods of synthesizing intentions, an SI may be a particularly strong form of AI. Similarities and possible applications to several AI paradigms are discussed. The article then addresses some problems: The proof's limitations, reflexive cognition, Searles' Chinese room, and how an SI could "understand" "meanings" and "be creative."