Alexander Kearney
United Kingdom
Master's Student
Independent Researcher
Machine Learning/Technical AI, Neuroscience/Cognitive Science
United Kingdom Master's Student Independent Researcher Machine Learning/Technical AI, Neuroscience/Cognitive Science
Project
Empirical Tests for Consciousness in AI, Brains, and “Jelly” Systems
Project Overview
This project investigates whether consciousness leaves measurable signatures that can be detected across a wide range of systems, including biological brains, AI models and agents, and emerging unconventional computing platforms such as brain organoids and polymer-based "brain jelly" systems.
The project explores the idea that conscious systems may share common organizational properties regardless of their physical substrate. These include strong integration of information across the system, context-dependent patterns of information processing, and the ability to maintain stable and coherent internal states in the presence of noise and environmental disturbances.
Drawing on insights from neuroscience, artificial intelligence, complexity science, and quantum theory, the project aims to develop empirically testable markers of consciousness that can be applied across different classes of systems. By identifying and comparing these signatures, the research seeks to advance our understanding of consciousness and help inform future investigations into the possibility of consciousness in non-biological systems.
Mentors
Florida Atlantic University (FAU)/Center for the Future of AI, Mind and Society, USA
About the Scholar
Alexander was introduced to Integrated Information Theory through his mathematics degree at Oxford University, and has since become fascinated with computational theories of consciousness. He's released a preprint, "Information as Maximum-Caliber Deviations", where he maps competing frameworks together through a statistical mechanics inspired approach, and recently presented his ideas to Karl Friston's theoretical neurobiology group. When not (or sometimes while) thinking about thoughts, he enjoys listening to OrchestRAVE fusion performances.
Why AISS?
"I am incredibly excited to engage with interdisciplinary thinkers on developing empirical tests of consciousness. My mentors stand at the forefront of modern research, and it is thanks to Neuromatch's AISS program that I have the opportunity to contribute. I am also eager to meet the other scholars and hear about their work with their mentors."
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