ASEF Podcast
The American Slovenian Education Foundation (ASEF) is the leading foundation fostering talented individuals and higher education of deserving Slovenians worldwide through its exchange Fellowship programs and promotion of Slovenian culture and language. In the ASEF Podcast, we interview professors about their research, best practices in their field, and their vision for the development of the field in Slovenia as well as collaboration amongst Slovenians worldwide.
Visit us at https://www.asef.net/ or reach us at podcast@asef.net.
The podcast's introductory theme is the "C Minor Jazz Blues Backing Track" by Quist.
ASEF Podcast
Episode #47 (EN): Attention Schema Theory (Illusion of consciousness) with Michael Graziano
In this episode of the ASF Podcast, neuroscientist and Princeton professor Michael Graziano joins host Tanja Janko to unpack his Attention Schema Theory.
Graziano explains why consciousness can be understood as a self-model, how our brains construct simplified versions of ourselves and others, and why this illusion is both useful and inevitable.
He contrasts his theory with Global Workspace Theory and critiques Integrated Information Theory, highlighting why a self-model is essential to any scientific account of consciousness.
During the conversation, we also dive into the evolutionary roots of consciousness, the pitfalls of panpsychism, parallels with phantom limb phenomena, and what these ideas mean for humans, animals, and potentially machines.
The discussion moves from the false belief task as a probe of the theory of mind, to reinterpreting the original Turing test. We also talk about what it would take to build conscious machines.
We conclude the conversation with a look at the ethical dilemmas of mind uploading and why understanding consciousness may be the key to navigating the AI revolution —a transition as profound as the origin of life itself.
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, learn more about ASEF on our website and consider donating to support the ASEF's mission and programs!
