Why AI Isn't Going to Become Conscious | Anil Seth
We see consciousness in AI the same way we see faces in clouds, says neuroscientist Anil Seth. He explores the all-too-human tendency to project inner life onto machines that are brilliant mimics, not sentient beings, and gives a definitive answer to the urgent question: Will AI ever gain consciousness? (Recorded at TED2026 on April 16, 2026)
Video Summary
AI GeneratedThe speaker argues that AI cannot be conscious because consciousness is a biological phenomenon tied to living organisms, not a result of computation. While AI can simulate intelligence and consciousness through language, it lacks the \"aliveness\" and materiality of the human brain. The speaker warns that attributing sentience to AI is a psychological projection that could lead to dangerous societal and ethical consequences.