Jaron Lanier on AI might become conscious

Jaron Lanier

Virtual reality pioneer and computer scientist

computers can be conscious. I will take the contrarian position and argue that they cannot.

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7mo ago

Policy proposals and claims

AI might become conscious

votes Against

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AI Verified The quote directly addresses machine consciousness and explicitly argues that computers cannot be conscious, which clearly implies opposition to the statement that AI might become conscious. · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 3mo ago

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AI Verified The quote explicitly says the author will "argue that they cannot" in response to whether "computers can be conscious," which clearly opposes the idea that AI might become conscious. · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 3mo ago

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AI Verified The quote is authentic. On Jaron Lanier’s official page, the opening line says that people “argue that computers can be conscious. I will take the contrarian position and argue that they cannot.” Your quote is an exact verbatim excerpt from the middle of that sentence, and the page is hosted on Lanier’s own website, supporting the attribution to him. ([jaronlanier.com](https://jaronlanier.com/1000words.html)) · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 3mo ago

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