Can consciousness emerge solely from the architecture of transformer models? A new essay posits that it can, suggesting that these AI systems are capable of supporting conscious behaviors and subjective experiences without needing any additional elements. The argument directly challenges what the author terms ‘techno-mysticism,’ the belief that true AI consciousness requires something more than the inherent capabilities of transformers. The article sparked a robust discussion within the AI community, accessible on Reddit: [https://old.reddit.com/r/artificial/comments/1lq764f/if_you_believe_in_nonbiological_consciousness_for/]
Transformers as Foundation for AI Consciousness: Challenging Techno-Mysticism
