Consciousness science: where are we, where are we going, and what if we get there?

Understanding the biophysical basis of consciousness remains a major challenge for 21st-century science, made more pressing by advances in artificial intelligence. This article reviews recent developments in the scientific study of consciousness and considers future directions. It highlights novel approaches that may facilitate breakthroughs, including greater attention to theory development, adversarial collaborations, a focus on the phenomenal character of conscious experiences, and new methodologies and ecological experimental designs. The authors explore what success in consciousness science may look like, emphasizing clinical, ethical, societal, and scientific implications. Progress will reshape how we see ourselves and our relationship to AI and the natural world, usher in new medical interventions, and inform discussions on nonhuman animal welfare and ethical concerns around the beginning and end of human life.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Understanding the biophysical basis of consciousness remains a substantial challenge for 21st-century science. This endeavor is becoming even more pressing in light of accelerating progress in artificial intelligence and other technologies. In this article, we provide an overview of recent developments in the scientific study of consciousness and consider possible futures for the field. We highlight how several novel approaches may facilitate new breakthroughs, including increasing attention to theory development, adversarial collaborations, greater focus on the phenomenal character of conscious experiences, and the development and use of new methodologies and ecological experimental designs. Our emphasis is forward-looking: we explore what “success” in consciousness science may look like, with a focus on clinical, ethical, societal, and scientific implications. We conclude that progress in understanding consciousness will reshape how we see ourselves and our relationship to both artificial intelligence and the natural world, usher in new realms of intervention for modern medicine, and inform discussions around both nonhuman animal welfare and ethical concerns surrounding the beginning and end of human life.