The Inaugural World Conference on Artificial Consciousness 首届世界人工意识大会(AC2023)

Artificial Consciousness: The Confluence of Intelligence and Consciousness in the Interdisciplinary Domain

The Inaugural World Conference on Artificial Consciousness will be held on August 24, 2023

Background

The significant advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have sparked a technological revolution, with the emergence of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) being particularly noteworthy. AGI aims to create an AI system that possesses a wide range of cognitive abilities similar to humans, implying that they can understand, learn, and respond to various tasks, rather than being limited to specific ones. However, as AI technologies continue to be deeply researched and developed, a novel perspective is arising in academic and public discourse: Artificial Consciousness.

Artificial Consciousness and General Artificial Intelligence

The exploration of artificial consciousness attempts to address the question of whether AI systems can possess consciousness or cognition similar to humans. This implies that AI must not only process information but also comprehend it, further transforming it into knowledge, and based on this knowledge, make decisions. This process simulates how humans extract information from data, transform it into knowledge, and then apply wisdom to make decisions and achieve certain objectives when facing new information or situations. This conceptual model is known as the DIKWP model, which provides a framework for understanding artificial consciousness.

Artificial Consciousness and Large Language Models

Current AI systems, particularly large language models, have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in specific tasks. For instance, OpenAI's GPT series models have shown outstanding performance in tasks such as dialogue generation, text translation, and writing. However, despite showcasing powerful data processing and information generation abilities, they still lack self-awareness, an understanding of others, and contextual comprehension, which prevents them from becoming truly conscious entities. Nevertheless, by exploring artificial consciousness, we might enable large language models not only to handle specific tasks but also to learn, think, and even make decisions in unknown environments, thereby approaching the goal of general artificial intelligence.

The Impact of Artificial Consciousness

The exploration of artificial consciousness not only involves technological advancements but also raises profound ethical, moral, and legal questions in society. If AI systems were to possess consciousness, should they be granted rights? Should they be held accountable for their actions? These questions have sparked widespread societal concern. Therefore, we must proactively consider and prepare to address these challenges to ensure that technological progress can bring about greater societal benefits.

The significance of this conference

The inaugural World Conference on Artificial Consciousness (WCAC) will convene experts and scholars from around the globe to explore the intersecting realms of artificial intelligence and artificial consciousness. Through this conference, our aim is to enhance societal understanding of artificial consciousness, foster research collaboration, advance technological development, and guide a rational perception of AI in society. The conference will serve as a platform for global researchers and scholars to engage in in-depth exchanges and cooperation, jointly addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and artificial consciousness, propelling technological progress, and fostering a positive impact on human society.

Confirmed reports:

Title:

DIKWP Artificial Consciousness: Theoretical Foundations and Mathematical Methods, with Applications in Medicine, Meteorology, and Other Fields

Abstract : DIKWP Artificial Consciousness Model: Theoretical Framework and Applications from Physiology to Mathematics, Medicine, Meteorology, and Other Fields The DIKWP Artificial Consciousness Model is a framework describing the process of transforming data into wisdom, with each step guided by our goals or intentions. The model encompasses several key concepts, including Data (D), Information (I), Knowledge (K), Wisdom (W), and Purpose (P). Our brain plays a crucial role in this process, involving parsing and processing raw data, understanding and integrating information, generating and applying knowledge, and ultimately achieving the generation of wisdom. Firstly, our brain processes raw data through the visual cortex, involving the posterior visual areas such as V1 and V2, which convert textual content and symbols from the text into neural signals. This process involves the temporal lobe, responsible for auditory processing, memory, and language comprehension. Raw data typically constitutes the inputs we gather from the environment, which need to be processed and stored through sensory channels like vision and hearing. Secondly, the brain transforms data into information. This occurs in the frontal areas, such as the frontal lobe, which serves as the decision-making and executive center of the brain, also involving language processing regions like Broca's area and Wernicke's area. Computational processes during this stage include analyzing, integrating, and understanding data, along with further analysis and reasoning of this information. Next, the brain integrates information to generate knowledge. This process involves the prefrontal cortex, responsible for high-level cognitive functions such as emotional control, decision-making, and problem-solving. Computational processes during this stage include further analysis, summarization, rule formation, as well as storage and memory of these rules. Following this, the brain utilizes knowledge for reasoning and decision-making, resulting in the generation of wisdom. This process primarily involves the prefrontal and parietal lobes, both being advanced cognitive areas responsible for executive functions and reasoning. Computational processes during this stage include applying knowledge and evaluating and optimizing predictive outcomes. Finally, all these processes are guided by our intentions or goals, determined collectively by the brain's limbic system (including the cingulate cortex, amygdala, etc.) and the prefrontal cortex. This is the role of the brain in the DIKWP Artificial Consciousness Model. To illustrate this process with a weather forecasting example, we first collect relevant weather data such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc. (Data stage). Then, we extract useful information from this data, such as identifying weather patterns and recognizing seasonal changes (Information stage). Subsequently, based on this information, we construct a weather prediction model, forming knowledge (Knowledge stage). Then, we use this knowledge for reasoning and decision-making to generate a weather forecast (Wisdom stage). Lastly, our forecasts and decisions are guided by our forecast objectives or purposes (Purpose stage). In conclusion, the human brain plays a vital role in the process of handling and comprehending information, generating knowledge, forming wisdom, and guiding behavioral intentions. The DIKWP Artificial Consciousness Model reflects these mechanisms in a scientific and systematic manner. In future research, we can further explore the broader applications of this model to gain deeper insights into the workings of the human brain and human cognition.

BIO : Dr. Yucong Duan is a Level Three Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Hainan University, recognized as a leading talent and distinguished academic figure in Nanhai. Currently, he serves as a committee member of the Academic Committee of the School of Computer Science at Hainan University, the founder of the DIKWP-AC Artificial Consciousness Laboratory, the founder of the AGI-AIGC-GPT Evaluation DIKWP (Global) Laboratory, and the leader of the DIKWP Innovation Team, focusing on Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Purpose. He is also an editorial board member of the Journal of Hainan University (Natural Sciences Edition), an adjunct researcher at Chongqing Police College, and the head of the Hainan Province Double Hundred Talent Team "Internet Innovation Team for DIKW Fusion." Moreover, he holds the positions of Vice Chairman of the Hainan Province Invention Association, Vice Chairman of the Hainan Province Intellectual Property Association, Vice Chairman of the Hainan Province Low Carbon Economy Development Promotion Association, Vice Chairman of the Hainan Province Agricultural Product Processing Enterprise Association, Guest Researcher at Central Michigan University, USA, and a member of the Doctoral Advisory Committee at the University of Modena, Italy. His primary research focuses on DIKW, Service Computing, and Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Duan was among the top 2% of global scientists on the 2022 list of lifetime achievements and has filed 241 DIKWP-themed series of Chinese and international invention patents. He was also honored as one of Hainan Province's Most Beautiful Science and Technology Workers in 2022 (and was recommended as a candidate for China's Most Beautiful Science and Technology Workers). Additionally, he contributed to the development of two IEEE international standards for financial knowledge graphs and four industry knowledge graph standards.

📷

Yongmou Liu

Title:

Artificial Consciousness, "AI Awakening" and Limited AI Design.

Abstract : The problem of consciousness remains a philosophical puzzle, and artificial consciousness in cognitive science is primarily conceptualized at the functional and operational levels. In the context of AI culture, artificial consciousness is often associated with the topic of "AI awakening," which encompasses a cluster of questions, such as whether a certain AI, like GPT-4, possesses consciousness, whether AI has morality, emotions, desires, and goals, and whether superintelligent AI will dominate humanity, among others. The notions of AI awakening and superintelligent AI serve as the "magic weapons" to attract attention and funding for the AI community, significantly contributing to the promotion and financial support of AI endeavors. Essentially, the fear of superintelligent AI reflects a fear of the unknown "other." The thoughts and actions of superintelligent AI may not align with human-like behavior, making it impossible to predict whether it will destroy humanity or not. The key question, in my opinion, does not lie in whether AI will "awaken," but rather in our efforts to control the direction of AI development, ensuring its service to social welfare. Hence, careful consideration is required: should we develop potentially awakened AI? Do we need to pursue general artificial intelligence, and how can we control the potential superintelligent AI? It is vital to remember that the objective of AI design is not just increased intelligence but greater beneficence. Consequently, advocates of limited AI design propose constraining AI to a limited tool level while entrusting all relevant moral questions to human judgment. In other words, machine ethics is not the ethics of machines; it pertains to ethical issues associated with machines.

BIO : Yongmou Liu is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Philosophy, Renmin University of China. He is also a researcher at the National Academy of Development and Strategy and the Research Center of Metaverse. He has been a visiting scholar at Harvard University in the United States, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, University of the Basque Country in Spain, Colorado School of Mines in the United States, and University of Paris-Sud in France. His main research areas include the philosophy of science and technology, science, technology, and society, and the intelligent revolution and intelligent society. He has published over 20 works, including "General Theory of Technology Governance," "Fourteen Lectures on Science and Technology and Society," "The Trap of Metaverse," "The Rebellion of Technology," "The Advent of the Internet of Things and the Ubiquitous Society," "Miwah in Action," "The Mad Discourse of Philosophers," and "Foucault's Journey of Subject Deconstruction," and has contributed more than 170 academic papers in both Chinese and foreign journals. He has been awarded the National Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award, the Wu Yuzhang Award, and serves as the chief expert of major projects funded by the National Social Science Foundation. He is also selected as a participant in the New Century Talents Program of the Ministry of Education. Additionally, he holds various positions including director and executive director of the Chinese Society for Dialectics of Nature, executive director of the Beijing Society for Dialectics of Nature, guest researcher at the Research Base for Food Safety of Jiangsu Province and Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, and committee member of the Academic Committee at the Institute for Singularity Politics of East China Normal University and the Center for Digital Humanities Studies of Nanjing Normal University. Furthermore, he serves as a part-time professor at Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology and Liaoning University of Technology, and is on the editorial board of journals such as "Bulletin of PNRPU. Culture. History. Philosophy. Law," "Studies in Dialectics of Nature," and "Journal of Dialectics of Nature."

The 2nd World Conference on Artificial Consciousness(AC2024)第二届世界人工意识大会域名DIKWP-AC发布：

http://www.dikwp-ac.com/DIKWP-AC/2024/#/

第二届世界人工意识大会国内访问：http://www.yucongduan.org/DIKWP-AC/2024/#/

第二届世界人工意识大会国际访问：http://100.24.149.132/DIKWP-AC/2024/#/

Dear Prof. Duan,

I want to participate this interesting meeting. But I can not access the detailed information from website http://www.yucongduan.org/DIKWP-AC/2024/#/time?lang=en&workshop=main.

http://www.dikwp-ac.com/DIKWP-AC/2024/#/- This is also with high risk and browsers can not open it.

Please share detailed information about the event about venue and register price.