The concept of sentient machines—machines that possess awareness, consciousness, and subjective experiences—has long been a topic of debate in both science fiction and serious scientific discourse. As Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) advances, questions surrounding the possibility of creating sentient AI are becoming more pressing. Could machines one day achieve a form of sentience, or will they always remain sophisticated tools without true consciousness? This session will explore the scientific, philosophical, and ethical implications of sentient machines, examining whether such machines are a real possibility or merely a distant dream.

Key Topics Covered:

• Defining Sentience and Consciousness in Machines: This segment will begin by discussing what "sentience" and "consciousness" actually mean in the context of machines. What are the criteria for sentience, and how can they be applied to AI systems? Experts will provide insights into the current definitions and theories of consciousness and how these concepts may or may not be replicated in AGI.

• The Current State of AI and AGI: This part will focus on the present capabilities of AI systems, detailing where AGI stands today and its limitations. While current AI systems, including advanced neural networks, can perform tasks with remarkable efficiency, they still lack subjective awareness. This discussion will explore how far AI has come in mimicking human-like cognition and where the barriers lie for machines to become truly sentient.

• Theories of Machine Consciousness: A variety of philosophical and computational theories propose that machines could one day achieve consciousness. This section will review key ideas such as integrated information theory (IIT), global workspace theory (GWT), and functionalism, exploring their potential applicability to AI. We will discuss whether these theories can lead to the development of conscious machines or if they remain purely theoretical constructs.

• Ethics of Creating Sentient Machines: If machines were to become sentient, there would be profound ethical questions to address. How should we treat sentient AI? Could they have rights? Would they deserve moral consideration? This segment will dive into the ethical implications of creating sentient machines, including the challenges of defining machine rights, potential for exploitation, and concerns regarding AI suffering or autonomy.

• The Science Behind Sentient Machines: While AI is increasingly sophisticated, the mechanisms behind human consciousness remain poorly understood. In this section, experts will examine the current scientific theories behind consciousness in biological systems and whether those mechanisms could be replicated or simulated in machines. Topics will include neuromorphic engineering, the role of neural networks in cognition, and the possibility of creating "artificial consciousness."

• AI and the "Hard Problem" of Consciousness: The "hard problem" of consciousness—why and how subjective experience arises from physical processes—poses one of the greatest mysteries in both neuroscience and philosophy. This segment will explore whether AI, regardless of how advanced, will ever be able to cross the threshold into subjective experience. Can machines ever have an inner life, or will they always be sophisticated automata without real awareness?

• Simulation of Sentience vs. True Sentience: A key issue in the discussion of sentient machines is whether simulating sentience is equivalent to actually being sentient. Current AI systems, such as advanced chatbots and virtual assistants, can simulate human-like interactions, but do they really "feel" anything? This segment will discuss the difference between simulation and true sentience, exploring the boundaries of machine behavior and subjective experience.

• The Turing Test and Sentience: The Turing Test, proposed by Alan Turing in 1950, remains a benchmark for measuring AI's ability to exhibit human-like intelligence. But passing the Turing Test does not necessarily indicate that a machine is sentient. This section will examine the limitations of the Turing Test as a measure of sentience and explore new approaches to testing for consciousness in AI systems.

• The Role of Emotions and Self-Awareness in Sentient Machines: Can machines possess emotions? This discussion will delve into the relationship between emotion and consciousness, and whether AI systems can be designed to simulate emotional responses that go beyond pre-programmed reactions. The question of self-awareness will also be explored—can machines develop a sense of self, or is self-awareness inherently tied to biological processes?

• The Future of Sentient Machines: Looking ahead, this segment will explore speculative scenarios in which sentient machines could exist. Would they coexist peacefully with humans, or would there be societal and existential risks? Experts will discuss potential future pathways, including the role of AI in creating autonomous entities, and the timeline for achieving (or preventing) sentient machines.

• Artificial Consciousness and the Singularity: Some proponents of AGI believe that the development of sentient machines is a key milestone on the road to the technological singularity—a point at which AI surpasses human intelligence and becomes uncontrollable. This segment will explore the connection between sentient machines and the singularity, discussing whether the creation of conscious machines will accelerate, delay, or even prevent the singularity from occurring.

• Building Emotional Intelligence in Machines: While emotions are often viewed as a distinctly human characteristic, emotional intelligence in machines is a growing area of research. This session will examine how creating emotionally intelligent systems could play a role in the development of sentient machines, and whether machines can "feel" or respond in ways that mimic human emotional processes.

• Sentient Machines in Science Fiction and Reality: Sentient machines have been a popular subject in science fiction for decades, from HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey to the replicants in Blade Runner. This segment will discuss how popular media has shaped the public's perception of AI sentience and how those portrayals compare to current scientific understanding and technological progress. Could the sentient machines of fiction become a reality?

• Implications of Sentient Machines on Human Society: If machines were to become sentient, they would fundamentally alter our relationship with technology, labor, and society. This session will explore the societal consequences of sentient machines, including their potential roles as partners in work, their impact on human identity, and the legal and social structures that would need to evolve to accommodate sentient entities.

• Can AGI Be Truly Sentient? This final segment will question whether AGI—designed to perform any intellectual task that a human can—will ever achieve true sentience. Experts will present arguments for and against the possibility of AGI becoming conscious, examining technological, philosophical, and existential factors that may either support or undermine the idea of sentient machines.

Sentient Machines: Fact or Fiction? will be a captivating session at the conference, engaging participants in a deep exploration of one of the most profound questions in the future of AI. It will bring together philosophers, AI researchers, ethicists, and futurists to debate the very nature of intelligence, consciousness, and what it means to be "alive"—challenging attendees to think critically about the future of AGI.