“Existential risk” – Why scientists are racing to define consciousness

Scientists warn that artificial intelligence and neurotechnology are advancing faster than humanity's understanding of consciousness, creating potential "existential risks" if conscious machines emerge accidentally. Researchers emphasize the urgent need to develop scientific methods for detecting consciousness, which could improve care for unresponsive patients, reshape legal concepts of responsibility, and guide ethical treatment of animals and AI systems. The breakthrough would have far-reaching implications from prenatal policy to brain-computer interfaces, making consciousness research a critical priority for the 21st century.