Cited by 19Philosophy and Theoretical ScienceCybernetics and Technology in SocietyPsychiatry, Mental Health, Neuroscience

Artificial consciousness

Prettyman, Adrienne·2026·Inquiry

Abstract

Rapid advancements in large language models (LLMs) have renewed interest in the question of whether consciousness can arise in an artificial system, like a digital computer. The general consensus is that LLMs are not conscious. This paper evaluates the main arguments against artificial consciousness in LLMs and argues that none of them show what they intend. However strong our intuitions against artificial consciousness are, they currently lack rational support.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1080/0020174x.2024.2439989

Cites

26 of 28 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

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This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Dennett, D. 2001. Sweet Dreams. Cambridge: MIT Press.
  2. Low Phillip. 2012. “Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness.” In Proceedings of the Francis Crick Memorial Conference 1–2.
  3. Schaeffer R. B. Miranda and S. Koyejo. 2023. Are Emergent Abilities of Large Language Models a Mirage? arXiv.Org April 28. https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.15004v2. · arXiv

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Authors
Prettyman, A.
Affiliations
Bryn Mawr College (US)
Corresponding author
Prettyman, Adrienne
Venue
Inquiry
Published
2024-12-23
Volume
69
Issue
6
Pages
2964-2981
ISSN
  • 0020-174X (ISSN-L)
  • 1502-3923
OpenAlex
W4405702152
Cited by
18
References
28
Citations by year
2025: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2
FWCI
1.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Inquiry (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Cybernetics and Technology in Society
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Psychiatry, Mental Health, Neuroscience
Keywords
artificial consciousness, large language models, digital computers, philosophy of mind

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