Seeing some jokes about AI and deterministic if/else sort of logic... in a really sleep deprived state I start to wonder - if we are able to make AI that REALLY begins to pass as intelligent / self aware / sentient and imitates us.... and it spawns from deterministic lower level logic that has just grown from an uncontrollably large amount of inputs and complications... will we just end up convincing ourselves that we don't actually have free will either? Maybe we just have an amazing natural data lake. :-/

@irene which is the other variant of "no free will".

The deeper counter argument is that we are talking about models of what's going on, and the whole point of scientific models is to eliminate the subject from the equation.

Well yeah no shit, if you don't put something into a model, you're not going to see it. However, the map isn't the territory.

@irene It isn't?

@irene Only if neurons actually utilize that.

Aside from the random != free will part, a lot of 'random' in AI (and maybe in human intelligence as well?) starts to bring to mind butterfly effect sort of things... maybe looking at seeding in basic random CS functions has spoiled that a little and makes it seem like a lot that is 'random' is just a certain level of abstraction on a lot of seemingly unconnected tiny inputs.

The real question imo is, does it matter? If science reveals tomorrow "humans dont have free will." would you live your life differently? Or by definition of "no free will" could you even live differently?

I think the question suits better a neuroscientist. Honestly, the moment we will understand fully how our brain works, we will make a human-level AI. So far we have to create that of a simple worm.
In my opinion, deep down in our collective mind is the fear that we are just meat machines. Given the relevant neurochemical stimuli, we act no differently than our creations. Will that matter in the extremely long-term? From a nihilistic point of view, we already know that our universe has an expiration date, albeit we will not exist to witness it. Then you have the theory that we are simulation programmes. Or consider the teachings of any religion about the Divine and the afterlife. Free will could be an illusion. If so, does that make life less worthy experiencing it? Would rather remain blissful and ignorant or would rather have the knowledge that you don't hold any power over your actions? Just some thoughts before putting my brain into sleep mode.

@Qaldim A neuro scientist is in no better position to understand how consciousness works than other scientists. Just like a quantum physicist is unlikely to explain you why your ball pen doesn't write when you need it.

Also, "the brain" is already a model. Therefore, consciousness is not in the brain - it's the other way around, the brain is in the consciousness.

We will never understand consciousness because no system can contain a complete description of itself.

If we ever, probably by accident, should make an AI that matches us, we will understand it as little as we understand ourselves.

@Qaldim for me its not a fear at all. Im of the opinion that we really are just meat based processors. I dont find it any less fascinating for it.

@rutee07
For your argument that AI isnt artificial once its conscious, I dont agree. If we made it, its artificial no matter how it evolved to achieve it. As far as I can tell you can only classify things as natural if their origin doesnt involve humans. Artificiality is our own concept after all.