Research on AI consciousness and human interaction

Scientific and psychological inquiries are exploring the relationship between artificial intelligence and human cognitive frameworks. Researchers at the HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics have examined parallels between AI development and human consciousness. While experts suggest it is premature to claim the emergence of self-aware superintelligence, studies into models like Anthropic’s Claude have identified a functional duality termed ‘J-space,’ which mirrors the human distinction between access consciousness and phenomenal consciousness.

Parallel research into human psychology explores the dynamics of trust between people and AI. Findings indicate a common ‘human premium,’ where individuals inherently trust humans more than machines, often resulting in an ‘AI penalty.’ However, researchers have observed a ‘switcheroo’ effect in specific contexts where an ‘AI premium’ emerges, causing AI to be perceived as more trustworthy than humans.

Recent psychological analyses suggest that understanding trust in AI requires a multi-dimensional approach that looks beyond developer reputation or functional capabilities to examine the cognitive underpinnings of trust. Additionally, there is emerging interest in how generative AI and large language models (LLMs) might serve as tools for cognitive regulation, potentially assisting in managing the coexistence of mindfulness and mindlessness within the human mind. Scholars continue to examine how the human mind itself may change as a result of sustained interaction with these technologies.