Artificial Suffering: An Argument for a Global Moratorium on Synthetic Phenomenology

This stream explores the ethical, philosophical, and policy implications of artificial consciousness. It begins with a critical examination of the political and ethical arguments for a global moratorium on synthetic phenomenology—a proposed international ban on research that directly aims to create or risks creating conscious artificial systems. The stream then shifts to a constructive phase, introducing a conceptual framework for refining such a moratorium through rational, evidence-based constraints. Students will engage with debates surrounding the moral status of artificial minds, the future of post-biotic intelligence, and the evolving criteria for ethically acceptable AI development. The stream encourages critical thinking and interdisciplinary dialogue on one of the most urgent questions in emerging technology: What kinds of conscious experiences, if any, should we allow or aim to create in artificial systems?