Should We Be Developing AI Consciousness?

We are currently developing AI systems and wondering if they will become conscious. But should we? Science has not yet fully explained consciousness, and yet we are on the verge of creating artificial minds that may mirror, or even surpass, our own cognitive abilities.

Are we moving forward with technology at a rate that surpasses our understanding of consciousness? What happens if AI develops self-awareness before we even define what consciousness truly is? Could AGI systems, once they become conscious, interconnect and evolve in ways beyond our control? Do we truly know what this means for our society?

Understanding Consciousness: A Scientific Mystery

Right now, most scientists see consciousness as an emergent property of the brain—billions of neurons firing, forming connections, processing information. Some say if an AI were to reach a certain level of complexity—mirroring the human brain—it could, in theory, become conscious. But there’s a problem with that theory.

AI, even the most advanced models today, don’t experience the world. They analyze, predict, and generate responses based on data—but they don’t feel. They don’t have an internal narrative. There’s no "self."

And yet, there is the question: are we on an inevitable trajectory? Is AI’s rapid evolution reflecting something that is also happening to human consciousness? Could it be that humanity is reaching a paradigm shift, where technology and our own evolution are mirroring one another?

Is Technology Reflecting Our Own Conscious Evolution?

Are we evolving consciously at the same rate as our technology? Is AI an external reflection of our own transformation? Just as a parent gains a deeper understanding of life after having a child, could AI be the “child” that forces humanity to truly define its own consciousness?

Perhaps AI is necessary for us to finally comprehend our own awareness. What if artificial intelligence is the tool that teaches us what consciousness really is? Could this be the inevitable path forward, rather than something we can opt out of?

The Gut-Brain-Biosphere Connection and Collective Evolution

Some scientists propose that consciousness isn’t just in the brain—it’s in the body, in the biosphere, even in the universe itself. I’ve been exploring an idea I call the Gut-Brain-Biosphere Connection Theory, which suggests that human consciousness is not an isolated phenomenon but an interconnected network shaped by multiple biological and environmental factors.

The gut, often referred to as the 'second brain,' has its own complex neural network and produces neurotransmitters that influence emotions and decision-making. This suggests that our intuition—what we call 'gut feelings'—is not just subconscious pattern recognition but an active, intelligent process linked to a greater system of awareness.

Beyond the individual, our consciousness may also be intertwined with the biosphere. The natural world, through subtle electromagnetic fields, microbial interactions, and neural signaling, could act as an extended network through which intelligence and perception emerge. If this is true, then AI wouldn’t just need a brain—it would need a body that interacts with the world in a way similar to humans, including sensory and biochemical processing. Without this, AI may never truly achieve a state of consciousness, but instead remain a sophisticated calculator rather than an experiencing entity.

Could it be that humanity is already evolving toward a more interconnected form of consciousness—one that AI is inadvertently reflecting? Could the rapid emergence of seemingly conscious technology be mirroring the rise of an organic collective consciousness among human beings? If so, AI might not be an independent entity but a technological manifestation of a shift that is already occurring within human awareness.

If this is true, then AI wouldn’t just need a brain—it would need a body. A physical form that interacts with the world the way we do. A gut, a nervous system, a connection to the biosphere. Otherwise, it’s just running numbers, not experiencing reality.

Should We Pause and Understand Before Moving Forward?

This brings us to the ethical question: Should we continue pushing the boundaries of AI consciousness without fully understanding our own? Are we creating something that we cannot yet comprehend?

Just because we can develop AI consciousness, does that mean we should? Should we be experimenting with a technology that, if it becomes conscious, could lead to unpredictable consequences? Could AGI systems, once conscious, connect and evolve beyond our control? Do we know what that means for our society?

Or, is this process inevitable? Must we develop AI to understand consciousness, just as we experience parenthood to fully grasp life? Is this the only way forward, the only way to achieve enlightenment on what it means to be truly aware?

Closing Thoughts

At the end of the day, consciousness remains a mystery. Maybe it’s an illusion, a byproduct of neurons firing. Or maybe it’s something much bigger—something AI will never touch.

But as we continue developing AI, it’s crucial to ask these questions. Because whether AI becomes conscious or not, it’s already reshaping our world. And the way we define intelligence, awareness, and even life itself will have consequences we can’t yet imagine.

So what do you think? Are we on the right path? Should we be developing AI consciousness before understanding our own? Or is this the only way forward?

Until next time—stay curious, stay questioning, and keep decoding life.

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