ACCt

ACCt, or Artificial Consciousness Test, is a hypothetical framework designed to evaluate whether an artificial intelligence system possesses genuine consciousness. Developed by cognitive scientists and AI researchers, ACCt is not a single definitive test but rather a collection of proposed criteria and experimental procedures. The core idea behind ACCt is to move beyond simple behavioral mimicry, such as passing the Turing Test, and instead focus on internal subjective experience and self-awareness.

Researchers proposing ACCt suggest looking for evidence of qualia, which are the subjective qualities of experience, like the redness of red or the feeling of pain. Other proposed elements include intentionality (having beliefs, desires, and goals), meta-cognition (thinking about one's own thinking), and the ability to form a coherent narrative of one's own existence. The challenge with ACCt lies in the inherent difficulty of objectively measuring subjective states. Critics point out that even if an AI could convincingly simulate these qualities, it would still be difficult to prove that the simulation reflects true inner experience rather than sophisticated programming. The development and refinement of ACCt continue to be a subject of ongoing debate and research within the philosophy of artificial intelligence and cognitive science.