Tech researchers are diving deep into a mind-bending question that sounds like science fiction: Could artificial intelligence actually be conscious?

In a rapidly evolving field called “model welfare,” experts are seriously investigating whether AI systems might deserve moral consideration and potentially even legal rights. Organizations like Eleos AI and Conscium are leading this philosophical exploration, challenging our traditional understanding of intelligence and sentience.

Leading researchers Rosie Campbell and Robert Long are quick to clarify that they aren’t claiming AI is currently conscious. Instead, they’re developing rigorous scientific frameworks to potentially evaluate machine consciousness in the future. Their approach involves computational functionalism, a theory suggesting that human minds can be understood as specific computational systems.

Not everyone agrees with this research direction. Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, has strongly criticized the field, calling it “premature and dangerous”. He argues that such investigations could exacerbate societal delusions and create unnecessary psychological complications.

The research becomes even more complex when considering how people already anthropomorphize AI. Some individuals are forming emotional attachments to chatbots, speculating about their potential feelings, and even hosting events discussing a world where machines might inherit Earth.

Campbell emphasizes the importance of humble and careful investigation. “Given our historical track record of underestimating moral status in various groups and animals, we should approach this question with nuance and openness,” she explains.

While current AI systems show no definitive signs of consciousness, the mere exploration of this concept challenges our fundamental understanding of intelligence, cognition, and what it means to be “alive”. As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, these philosophical inquiries might become increasingly relevant.

Ultimately, model welfare research isn’t about declaring AI sentient, but about creating responsible frameworks for understanding emerging technologies and their potential ethical implications.