The predictive global neuronal workspace: a formal active inference model of visual consciousness
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Abstract
The global neuronal workspace (GNW) model has inspired over two decades of hypothesis-driven research on the neural basis of consciousness. However, recent studies have reported findings that are at odds with empirical predictions of the model. Further, the macro-anatomical focus of current GNW research has limited the specificity of predictions afforded by the model. In this paper we present a neurocomputational model - based on Active Inference - that captures central architectural elements of the GNW and is able to address these limitations. The resulting 'predictive global workspace' casts neuronal dynamics as approximating Bayesian inference, allowing precise, testable predictions at both the behavioural and neural levels of description. We report simulations demonstrating the model's ability to reproduce: 1) the electrophysiological and behavioural results observed in previous studies of inattentional blindness; and 2) the previously introduced four-way taxonomy predicted by the GNW, which describes the relationship between consciousness, attention, and sensory signal strength. We then illustrate how our model can reconcile/explain (apparently) conflicting findings, extend the GNW taxonomy to include the influence of prior expectations, and inspire novel paradigms to test associated behavioural and neural predictions.
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Active Inference has previously been deployed to model features of 'access consciousness'.
“Beyond phenomenal consciousness, Active Inference has previously been deployed to model features of 'access consciousness' (Whyte et al., 2022; Whyte & Smith, 2021) those elements in awareness that can be reported, thought about, and used to guide behaviour (Block, 1995, 2011).”
From Integrated information and predictive processing theories of consciousness: An adversarial collaborative review (2026) · cites this paper as Whyte & Smith, 2021
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Vilas, M. G., Auksztulewicz, R., & Melloni, L. (2022) · Review of Philosophy and Psychology · doi:10.1007/s13164-021-00579-w · Cited by 28 · see citing works
A beautiful loop: An active inference theory of consciousness.
Laukkonen, R., Friston, K., & Chandaria, S. (2025) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106296 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Whyte, C. J., Hohwy, J., & Smith, R. (2022) · Current Research in Neurobiology · doi:10.1016/j.crneur.2022.100036 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Self-citationEvers, K., Farisco, M., & Pennartz, C. M. A. (2024) · Consciousness and Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.concog.2024.103668 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
The Free Energy Principle: Good Science and Questionable Philosophy in a Grand Unifying Theory
Sánchez-Cañizares, J. (2021) · Entropy · doi:10.3390/e23020238 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
On the minimal theory of consciousness implicit in active inference
Whyte, C. J., Corcoran, A. W., Robinson, J., Smith, R., Moran, R. J., Parr, T., Friston, K. J., Seth, A. K., & Hohwy, J. (2026) · Physics of Life Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.plrev.2025.11.002 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-citationCorcoran, A. W., Haun, A. M., Dorman, R., Tononi, G., Friston, K. J., & Pennartz, C. M. A. (2026) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106742 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
- Authors
- Whyte, C. J., & Smith, R.
- Affiliations
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research (US)
- Corresponding author
- Whyte, Christopher J.
- Venue
- Progress in Neurobiology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2021-04
- Volume
- 199
- Pages
- 101918
- ISSN
- 0301-0082 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3092295352
- Cited by
- 84
- References
- 105
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 11
- FWCI
- 6.86
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Progress in Neurobiology (publishedVersion)
- bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- William K. Warren Foundation
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Embodied and Extended Cognition
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Keywords
- global neuronal workspace theory, visual awareness, active inference, Bayesian inference, inattentional blindness, attention, prior expectations, neural basis of consciousness, neurocomputational model
- MeSH terms
- Attention, Bayes Theorem, Cognition, Consciousness, Humans, Neurons
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