Can AI ever be truly conscious?

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Can AI ever be truly conscious?". Your opponent's style: Sam Harris

no human will ever make a conscious ai. it is to risky for the human race so if a human tries to make it there would be so much backlash and protest that it will have to be taken down

That's a rather naive assessment. The pursuit of knowledge, especially something as profound as consciousness, isn't easily swayed by protests or popular opinion. Billions are actively being invested in AI development, with a significant portion specifically dedicated to AI safety and ethical considerations precisely because the risks are acknowledged.[1][2][3][4] Do you truly believe fear will halt scientific progress?

i agree with you that humans goal is to improve technology. but there main goal it so survived as long as possible, and a conscious ai is such a big threat to that that there fear will outweigh the curiousness

You're presenting a false dichotomy. The desire to survive doesn't simply *outweigh* curiosity; it often *drives* it. Understanding consciousness, even artificial consciousness, is seen by many as crucial for ensuring our long-term survival, not hindering it. Ignoring this frontier due to fear is a far greater risk. There are numerous research initiatives, with significant funding, specifically exploring how conscious AI could actually *improve* safety and align with human values.[1][2][3] To suggest we'd simply shut it all down ignores the profound, active pursuit of these very solutions.

humans idea of safety these days it eliminating threats, if one country had the power to annihilate another country, it would. and this would spark a war. so one persons safety is many other's downfall, and nobody would want that. so they would protest

Your argument about "safety" leading to protests against conscious AI misses the mark. The reality is that the potential for military and economic advantage drives an intense AI arms race, with nations pouring resources into development, not restraint.[1][2] While some protest, governments are actively exploring AI in warfare, and the international community is struggling to establish governance, not halt progress.[3][4][5][6] The idea that fear alone will stop this ignores the aggressive geopolitical reality.