The age of conscious technology is imminent! Are we ready?

This article was written in relation to my paper for the Australian government consultation on the 2022 list of critical technologies in the national interest. I have proposed bringing conscious technology as a new technology of national interest.

As the field of AI, neurotechnology, physics, and engineering continue to advance, we see a trend of micro-miniaturization of technology and its integration into and onto our brain, aka?brain–machine interface?(BMI). As a case study, the following is how?Neuralink ?and?Kernel ?scientists demonstrate?brain–machine interface (BMI) from different perspectives.

In the coming decades, we will see increasing use of neurotechnology to?augment our physiological and cognitive capacities, much like we now install new hardware and software on computers. This technology has the potential to offer access to genius-level capabilities and to connect our brains directly to information and artificial intelligence networks. However, as we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with these technologies, it becomes increasingly important to consider the ethical implications and to develop governance frameworks to ensure that they are developed, used and regulated in a responsible and equitable manner.

Humans can become cyborgs if intelligent technology is integrated into their bodies, particularly with the brain. This is a possibility with the current and future development of brain-machine interfaces (BMI) and neurotechnology, which allow for direct communication between the brain and electronic devices. This has already enhanced human capabilities, such as by allowing people with disabilities to control part of their body (e.g., prosthetic hands, limbs) or by helping people to overcome cognitive or neurological disorders.

As for the exploration of conscious technology, it is important to have a multi-disciplinary approach, involving scientists, ethicists, legal experts, policymakers, and representatives from the public. This approach should be guided by the following principles:

1. Safety: The development and use of conscious technology should be done to minimise the risk of unintended consequences and ensure the safety of the users and society as a whole.
2. Privacy and autonomy: The development and use of conscious technology should respect the privacy and autonomy of individuals.
3. Transparency: The development and use of conscious technology should be done transparently, with clear explanations of the technology and its implications.
4. Equity: The development and use of conscious technology should be inclusive and not perpetuate bias or discrimination.
5. Governance: It is important to have clear governance frameworks in place to ensure the responsible and ethical use of conscious technology.
6. Continual evaluation: The development and use of conscious technology should be continuously evaluated, and these evaluations should be used to inform the development of policies, regulations, laws, and strategies.

It is also important to remember that conscious technology is a rapidly evolving field, and?new ethical and societal challenges may emerge?as it advances. Therefore, it is essential to have ongoing dialogue and review to adopt the policies, regulations, laws and strategies accordingly. Leaders, policymakers, and society should be aware of conscious technology as a critical technology for several reasons:

1. Ethical considerations: As conscious technology advances, it raises important ethical questions related to the treatment of artificially conscious entities and the implications of merging human and machine consciousness.
2. Societal impact: Conscious technology has the potential to fundamentally change how we live and work, and policymakers need to be aware of the potential implications for society to ensure that the technology is developed in a way that is beneficial for all.
3. Safety and security: As conscious technology becomes more integrated into our built environments, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that these systems are secure and safe to use.
4. Economic considerations: Conscious technology has the potential to create new industries and jobs, but it can also disrupt existing ones. Therefore, leaders and policymakers should be aware of the potential economic implications to ensure that the technology transition is smooth.
5. Legal and regulatory frameworks: As conscious technology advances, it may be necessary to review and update existing legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure that they adequately address the new challenges and opportunities that this technology presents.

In philosophy, the study of consciousness is closely related to AI and neurotechnology. One of the main areas of inquiry in the philosophy of consciousness is the nature of consciousness itself, and how it relates to the mind and brain. This has implications for AI and neurotechnology, as it can inform our understanding of creating artificial systems capable of experiencing consciousness. One of the latest concepts in the philosophy of consciousness is the idea of panpsychism, which holds that consciousness is a fundamental property of the universe and that all physical entities possess some form of consciousness. This idea has been used to explain the emergence of consciousness in complex systems, such as the brain, and has implications for the development of conscious AI. Another recent concept is the integrated information theory which holds that consciousness arises from the integration of information within a system, and that the more information that is integrated, the more conscious a system is. This theory has been used to explain the emergence of consciousness in the brain, and has implications for the development of conscious AI. Moreover, the computational theory of mind states that mental processes can be explained as computations performed on symbolic representations and that the mind can be simulated on a computer. This theory has been used to justify the claim that artificial intelligence can be conscious. Finally, embodied cognition emphasizes the role of the body and the environment in shaping cognitive processes. It has been used to argue that AI can be conscious only if it is embodied in a physical form and interacts with the environment.

Exploring consciousness?can provide valuable insights into creating advanced artificial intelligence that mimics human-like behaviour. By studying the neural mechanisms and processes that give rise to consciousness in biological organisms, we can gain a deeper understanding of how to develop conscious AI systems. This can involve creating neural networks modelled after the brain or developing new AI approaches replicating how the brain functions. Moreover, understanding consciousness can inform the design of brain-computer interfaces, which allow direct connections between the brain and machines. This can enable individuals to control machines through thought and enable machines to communicate in more natural ways. Furthermore, studying consciousness can lead to new approaches in treating mental health conditions and improve our understanding of human behaviour, decision-making, and creativity. It's important to note that the study of consciousness is a multi-disciplinary field requiring expertise from neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, computer science, etc., to understand this complex phenomenon comprehensively.

There are concerns about the?ethical, social, and cultural risks?associated with brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) and artificial consciousness. From an?ethical?perspective, one concern is that BMIs could be used to control or manipulate individuals without their consent. Further, there may be a risk of privacy violations, as personal thoughts and emotions could be monitored or accessed through a BMI. Moreover, BMIs could enhance human abilities in ways that create unfair advantages or reinforce existing inequalities. From a?social?perspective, using BMIs and artificial consciousness could lead to a loss of jobs and a decrease in human interaction, as machines become more capable of performing tasks that humans previously did. Furthermore, there is a risk that artificial consciousness could be used to create autonomous weapons, which could lead to an arms race and a lack of accountability for actions taken by these weapons.?Cultural?risks are also possible, as the use of BMIs and artificial consciousness could change the way people interact with each other and with technology. This could lead to a loss of privacy, as people's thoughts and emotions could be monitored or accessed through a BMI. Moreover, using BMIs and artificial consciousness could change how people view themselves and their place in the world, potentially leading to a loss of human agency or self-identity.

I had the following recent discussion with Dr? Allan McCay ?(Academic Fellow of Sydney Law School and the Deputy Director of Sydney Institute of Criminology) organized by? Corinium Global Intelligence , about the convergence of AI and Neurotechnology and the implications on technology, society, ethics and governance.

Further, the following paper was submitted to the Australian government consultation on the 2022 List of critical technologies in the national interest.

The risks and benefits should be considered carefully, and efforts should be made to?create value by mitigating risks through proper strategies, policies, regulations, governance and ethical considerations. It's important to?engage in a public dialogue?about the implications of consciousness technologies to ensure that they are developed and used to benefit society. Throughout history, civilizations have relied on shared beliefs and stories to bind them together. The idea of a feedback loop between consciousness and technology leading to a more enlightened civilization can serve as a unifying force for different cultures worldwide. Leaders, legislators, and policymakers should work and facilitate the governance of conscious technology towards a sustainable future.