Is GPT-4 conscious?

TL;DR

This paper evaluates GPT-4's potential for consciousness using the Building Blocks theory, concluding it is not conscious now but could be modified to achieve consciousness soon, raising ethical and societal concerns.

Contribution

It applies the Building Blocks theory to assess GPT-4's consciousness potential, providing a framework for future AI consciousness development.

Findings

GPT-4 is not currently conscious.

Technological modifications could enable GPT-4 to achieve consciousness.

Emergence of conscious AI is plausible in the near future.

Abstract

GPT-4 is often heralded as a leading commercial AI offering, sparking debates over its potential as a steppingstone toward artificial general intelligence. But does it possess consciousness? This paper investigates this key question using the nine qualitative measurements of the Building Blocks theory. GPT-4's design, architecture and implementation are compared to each of the building blocks of consciousness to determine whether it has achieved the requisite milestones to be classified as conscious or, if not, how close to consciousness GPT-4 is. Our assessment is that, while GPT-4 in its native configuration is not currently conscious, current technological research and development is sufficient to modify GPT-4 to have all the building blocks of consciousness. Consequently, we argue that the emergence of a conscious AI model is plausible in the near term. The paper concludes with a comprehensive discussion of the ethical implications and societal ramifications of engineering conscious AI entities.