What is it Like to Be a Bot: Simulated, Situated, Structurally Coherent Qualia (S3Q) Theory of Consciousness

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new representationalist theory of consciousness called S3Q, grounded in neuroscience, proposing a path toward artificial consciousness by balancing simulation, situatedness, and structural coherence of qualia.

Contribution

It presents a novel theory linking qualia to artificial consciousness, integrating neuroscientific evidence with modeling to explain conscious experience in machines.

Findings

Qualia are fundamental units of conscious representation.

Balanced simulation and structural coherence enable adaptive artificial consciousness.

Neuroscientific and modeling evidence support the S3Q theory.

Abstract

A novel representationalist theory of consciousness is presented that is grounded in neuroscience and provides a path to artificially conscious computing. Central to the theory are representational affordances of the conscious experience based on the generation of qualia, the fundamental unit of the conscious representation. The current approach is focused on understanding the balance of simulation, situatedness, and structural coherence of artificial conscious representations through converging evidence from neuroscientific and modeling experiments. Representations instantiating a suitable balance of situated and structurally coherent simulation-based qualia are hypothesized to afford the agent the flexibilities required to succeed in rapidly changing environments.