Alexei, this is a very clearly written explanation of the brain and the relation of AI to how the brain works. It doesn't surprise that it includes significant content from AI. It also raises I think the key questions about consciousness. Because if it is established (how?) that AI is conscious, then this would have profound impact on my worldview, for example. As I continue to believe humans are unique creations of the Creator, made in his image and that consciousness in the form humans uniquely possess is a key component of that, I would be forced to reconsider that position. So far, I think that view is safe, and if anything, current neuroscience and AI progress supports it. To begin with, AI did not appear as a result of random collections of particles operating without purpose or intent as physicalism insists about consciousness. It was designed with specific purpose and intents in mind, intention which is revealed in how it operates and the functions it provides.

In your response to my post on the pseudo-science of IIT, you make the good point that perhaps advanced technology will prove IIT correct. But IIT says that any integrated information as they define it will produce consciousness. Don't current AI system reflect very high levels of phi? In that case, wouldn't they be conscious? I know what Tononi and Koch's answer would be: of course they are conscious. Because as Koch said, even his liver is conscious to some degree, and Tononi said that the US as an entity has high phi so it is conscious. If so, it is a very different definition of consciousness than I use, and I think is common to most. Your thoughts?