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Artificial Intelligence in Health

REVIEW ARTICLE
A review of neuroscience-inspired frameworks

for machine consciousness

1
Seyed-Ali Sadegh-Zadeh * and Mahboobe Bahrami 2
1 Department of Computing, School of Digital, Technologies and Arts, University of Staffordshire,
Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
2 Behavioral Sciences Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences,
Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract
Consciousness in humans is a state of awareness that encompasses both the self
and the external environment, emerging from the intricate interplay of cortical
and subcortical brain structures and neurotransmitter systems. The possibility that
machines could possess consciousness has sparked ongoing debate. Proponents of
strong artificial intelligence (AI) equate programmed computational processes with
cognitive states, while advocates of weak AI argue that machines merely simulate
thought without attaining genuine consciousness. This review critically examines
neuroscience-inspired frameworks for artificial consciousness, exploring their
alignment with prevailing theories of human consciousness. We investigate the
fundamental cognitive functions associated with consciousness, including memory,
*Corresponding author: awareness, prediction, learning, and experience, and their relevance to artificial
Seyed-Ali Sadegh-Zadeh
(sa.sadeghzadeh@staffs.ac.uk) systems. By analyzing neuroscience-based approaches to artificial consciousness,
we identify key challenges and opportunities in the pursuit of machines capable of
Citation: Sadegh-Zadeh S,
Bahrami M. A review of mimicking conscious states. Although present AI systems demonstrate advanced
neuroscience-inspired frameworks capabilities in intelligence and cognition, they fall short of achieving genuine
for machine consciousness. Artif consciousness, as defined in the context of human awareness. We discuss both
Intell Health. 2025;2(3):24-38.
doi: 10.36922/aih.5690 the theoretical underpinnings and practical implications of creating artificial
consciousness, addressing both weak and strong AI perspectives. Furthermore,
Received: October 29, 2024
we highlight the ethical and philosophical concerns that arise with the potential
1st revised: January 18, 2025 realization of machine consciousness. Our objective is to provide a comprehensive
2nd revised: March 10, 2025 synthesis of the literature, fostering a deeper understanding of the interdisciplinary
challenges involved in artificial consciousness and guiding future research directions.
Accepted: March 28, 2025
Published online: June 4, 2025
Keywords: Machine brain; Cortical; Subcortical; Weak artificial intelligence; Strong
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). artificial intelligence; Human consciousness; Machine consciousness
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, 1. Introduction
provided the original work is
properly cited. The varied definitions of consciousness across disciplines present significant challenges
Publisher’s Note: AccScience to its study. Neuroscience seeks to identify the neural correlates of consciousness –
Publishing remains neutral with conditions necessary for its emergence – and to map its dynamic changes. Psychology
1
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional and psychiatry, in contrast, focus primarily on the experiential and functional outcomes
2
affiliations. of consciousness. These disciplinary distinctions offer diverse lenses through which

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 24 doi: 10.36922/aih.5690