The Ghostless Machine - by Arielle Friedman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A resounding argument against the possibility of AI consciousness, drawing from a range research and theories.

AI will never be conscious. To understand why, we're going to need to take a journey through decades of AI research, five hundred years of Western philosophy, a dozen theories of consciousness, and many examples involving dogs.

We'll compare the views of pantheist hippies with those of cutting-edge consciousness researchers, only to find (spoiler) that they've got the exact same opinion (and that they're both wrong). We'll do a survey of the leading theories of consciousness, ranging from the hard-headed to the quantum to the woo, and everything in between.

After reading this book, you'll have a strong sense of the neurology of consciousness, the mechanisms of AI, and the philosophy tying it all together. And, finally, you'll understand why the possibility of AI consciousness is remote, and why clarity on that point is important.

About the Author

Arielle Friedman is a digital consultant, entrepreneur, and writer. She has advised over fifty companies, worked in biotech, and is an award-winning screenwriter. Her educational background is in cognitive systems, with a focus on AI and intelligent systems. She lives in New York City and Toronto.