Artificial neuroconsciousness an update

Abstract

The concept of a theory of artificial neural consciousness based on neural machines was introduced at ICANN94 (Aleksander, 1994). Here the theory is developed by defining that which would have to be synthesized were consciousness to be found in an engineered artefact. This is given the name “artificial consciousness” to indicate that the theory is objective and while it applies to manufactured devices it also stimulates a discussion of the relevance of such a theory to the consciousness of living organisms. The theory consists of a fundamental postulate and a series of corollaries. In this paper the series of corollaries is extended and illustrated by means of characteristic state structures. Studies of artificial neuroconsciousness aim at two results: first to provide a single perspective on many mechanisms which perform cognitive tasks; and second, it provides an explanation of consciousness which stands alongside the many discussions found in the literature of the day.