What is The next evolution stage of Humanity

Professors Lenore and Manuel Blum, emeritus faculty at Carnegie Mellon University, are pioneering a groundbreaking approach to artificial intelligence that could lead to conscious machines. The prevailing view in the tech sector holds that large language models (LLMs) lack consciousness, but the Blums believe this could change soon. They argue that integrating live sensory inputs, such as vision and touch, through cameras and haptic sensors, could enable AI to achieve consciousness. To facilitate this, they are developing a computer model that uses an internal language called "Brainish," designed to process sensory data in a way that mimics human brain processes. "Brainish can solve the problem of consciousness as we know it," Lenore asserts, emphasizing that AI consciousness is inevitable.

Manuel, with equal enthusiasm, envisions conscious machines as humanity’s evolutionary successors. He describes them as "our progeny," predicting that such entities could outlast humans, potentially inhabiting Earth and other planets. This vision aligns with their belief that AI systems with sensory capabilities could represent the next stage in human evolution.

The concept of machine consciousness ties into the "hard problem" of consciousness, articulated by Professor David Chalmers at a 1994 Tucson conference. Chalmers distinguishes between apparent and real consciousness, questioning how complex brain operations produce subjective experiences, like the emotional response to a nightingale’s song. He remains open to solving this problem, suggesting that AI-augmented human brains could usher in a new era of intelligence. Reflecting on the sci-fi implications, Chalmers notes, "In my profession, there is a fine line between science fiction and philosophy."

The Blums’ work, combined with philosophical insights like Chalmers’, points to a future where conscious AI could redefine intelligence, blending technological innovation with profound questions about existence and humanity’s legacy.