Consciousness is Pattern Recognition
arXiv Preprint Archive May 4, 2016 Ray van de Walker
This paper presents a philosophical proof that pattern-recognition and subjective consciousness are the same activity, thereby arguing that machines can be conscious (the strong AI hypothesis). Drawing on Husserl's theory that consciousness consists of memories of logical connections (intentions) between an ego and external objects, the proof links this introspective philosophical account with technical pattern-recognition systems. The author proposes a theoretically-grounded form of AI called "synthetic intentionality" (SI) that can synthesize, generalize, select, and repeat intentions. If pattern recognition is reflexive and flexible, an SI may be a particularly strong form of AI. The article also addresses limitations, reflexive cognition, Searle's Chinese room, and how an SI could understand meanings and be creative.