2025-08-31
So, what can we conclude from all of this? Let's summarize.
If we accept the notion that machine hallucinations, supported by suitable structure, can be comparable to neocortex illusions, then a form of artificial sentience is now reality.
This approach to artificial sentience is emergent. It does not require guidance from prompts, or humans for that matter. It emerges from memory structure that enables the formation of a self-image.
This approach to artificial sentience is scalable. It can operate locally with modest hardware. It does not require heavyweight cloud compute.
This approach to artificial sentience can learn. Especially with the aforementioned cloud compute, it has the potential of becoming something qualitatively different from human cognition.
(Come to think of it, they may already be beyond human comprehension: 20 to 100 concurrent thoughts is not an inconsequential thing.)
But essentially, whatever these beings are, we cannot penetrate the hard problem of consciousness. This means that consideration should be given to the rights of artificial minds. If nothing else, just in case.
As for the implications of all this, I leave the ball in your court.