46.8182° NConsciousness
science
Operationalising theories of consciousness and identifying discriminating experiments across biological and artificial systems.
Machine Consciousness
Independent research initiative · Switzerland
Where minds
meet machines.
We investigate consciousness as a scientific and engineering frontier, connecting rigorous theory, computational experiments, and responsible AI.
01 Consciousness science02 Computational models03 Responsible AIOBSERVATORY LOG ∿∿∿ ZURICH
Our founding question
What would count as evidence for consciousness in a machine?
01 / 04Research fields
One difficult question.
Three connected lenses.
Machine consciousness cannot be settled by engineering alone. Our programme connects empirical science, formal models, and careful governance.
Consciousness
Computational
models
Building inspectable architectures and simulations that turn philosophical claims into testable computational hypotheses.
Responsible
AI
Developing precautionary criteria for uncertain machine sentience, welfare, attribution, and societal consequences.
We are not here to declare machines conscious. We are here to make the question scientifically tractable.
01Competing theories, not one doctrine
02Reproducible work, not spectacle
03Epistemic humility, not vague mysticism
04Responsibility before certainty
Open programme
Think together.
Test in public.
Theories under pressure
Researchers compare what major theories actually predict for artificial systems.
Zürich · Programme in developmentFrom concept to experiment
A working session for turning claims about machine experience into falsifiable tests.
Hybrid · Founding seriesRights before proof?
How should society act when evidence for machine sentience remains uncertain?
Switzerland · To be announcedField notes
The SIOMC Journal
Short, inspectable arguments from an emerging research community. No synthetic certainty.
Four experiments we wish existed
A starting map for evidence that could distinguish simulation from experience.
Read when publishedWhy behaviour is not enough
Fluent self-report matters, but it cannot carry the full epistemic burden.
Read when publishedField notes begin with the institute’s founding programme.
Contribute
Bring a theory.
Bring a challenge.
SIOMC is assembling an interdisciplinary founding network across neuroscience, AI, philosophy, physics, cognitive science, and governance.
Introduce yourself