AC (Artificial Consciousness)

Based on the concept that consciousness is basically a method of memory access, how would the process of the concept of consciousness, be replicated artificially?

My hypothesised explanation of human consciousness is virtually: a system involving sensory input, memory data, and access of such data, by method of circulation of memory data involving conceptual constructs, which are relative to the function, cause, and effects of data which is simultaneously being circulated. Human consciousness was developed based on positive/negative feedback, relative to the benefit of the individual, and resultingly, circulated memory data is accessed via trigger of this feedback.

This concept should be theoretically replicable into artificial technological conditions.

To break down and convert each aspect of my definition of human consciousness, the first part would be sensory input. Sensory input is necessary to gain new data which the individual might typically encounter, and to then be aware of future surroundings, to apply learned data relative to resembling variables, and therein cause a preferred outcome. This aspect of consciousness might only be necessary to program a general AI, which is capable of interacting with its environment, and accomplishing general tasks involved with its environment. Sensory input is likely not required for basic consciousness, since data can be acquired by skipping the process of senses. The required data for consciousness could potentially be downloaded directly.

Memory data in general is fairly simple, and already programmed and downloaded into computers as of today. The plausible difference between memory data which computers already have, and memory data required for consciousness, might be interpretation of the data. Humans interpret data mostly with a system of terminology to label most specific factors within data, as well as label concepts containing numerous factors, and label generalisations of factors (variables) to allow interpretable categories of factors (which in themselves have factors which alter their cause and effect). This system of labels allows much more accurate memory of cause and effect of virtually all factors and elements, which make up general data.

Without interpretation, the memory data cannot be distinguished and applied to future circumstances, to cause alteration to factors and potentially a preferable outcome. Alteration to factors in future circumstances, also isn’t necessarily required for basic consciousness, but is a potentially profound and significant advantageous effect.

Interpretation of data, is necessary for conscious perception though, because consciousness requires concepts (compounds of factors) to be saved in memory data, for memory of outcome of interaction between factors. Effective organisation and categorisation of memory data is required to some degree of labellisation, in order for interpretation of concepts -relative to memory data which is being circulated-  to be allowed. Data is fundamentally labelled to some degree, since data itself, is the organisation of a recording of occurrences. But the more accurately that data is labelled, the more interpretable it is, and most importantly, the more able the data is relatable, from one factor of data to another. But, current computers have this potential capability of interpreting data, or interpreting the result of interaction between 2 factors of the data. There is potentially something additional, which computers are lacking, for effective conscious perception or conscious thought.

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The difference may very well be the method of simultaneous access to the memory data. Coming back to my initial definition of human consciousness, this part: “cause, and effects of data which is simultaneously being circulated”, in basic terms, refers to accessing data of 1 factor, simultaneously to accessing data of the result of that factors interaction with another factor. Theoretically, both elements of data could be accessed simultaneously and instantly, but without method of circulation of data, triggering alternate elements of data, the concept of conscious perception of that factor, would only occur for a brief period (as long as both elements of data are being accessed), and unlikely to occur in the 1st place (without specific intentional occurrence).

So, with the simple adjustment to computers data access, of allowing simultaneous access to a factor and the outcome of interaction of that factor, that computer would theoretically be consciously perceptive of that factor. A simple example could be a calculator, which is programmed with memory data of all digits (factors), plus certain mathematical interactional outcomes between the digits. If the calculator was programmed to access data of a digit (say the # 1), simultaneously to accessing the data of the outcome of interaction of that digit with another digit (say, 1+2=3), the calculator would be consciously perceptive of the number 1 within the context of that equation.

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This consciously perceptive calculator could theoretically be given the ability for conscious thought as well, on a very basic level. If the calculator was given this already mentioned ability to access data of a factor simultaneously to data of the interaction of that factor, but to access data continuously, and with a triggering mechanism, to access alternate data (which it has saved) which has a resemblance to the data currently being accessed, then the calculator would be consciously thinking. If the calculator was programmed with a triggering mechanism, which causes its access of data to transfer to an alternate factor (saved within its data), based on match of digit (basis of priority of factor matched and accessed, could vary), it could create a “memory circulation”.

For eg., it could be started with the digit 1 (factor), then the programmed triggering mechanism causes it to simultaneously access an equation (factor construct of the outcome of interaction) involving the 1, maybe 1+4=5, then while accessing the equation, its data access transfers to access another digit (simultaneously to accessing the equation), maybe 5, then transfers to access an alternate equation involving the 5, maybe 6x5=30, then accesses the digit 30, then another equation involving 30, and so on (continuously accessing at least 2 factors of data simultaneously (the digit and the equation), circulating through its data).

This process would theoretically and virtually, be a basic form of artificial conscious thought.