[btl.ai] Artificial Consciousness?

pmd@cbscd5.UUCP (10/25/83)

I'm interested in getting some feedback on some philosophical
questions that have been haunting me:

1) Is there any reason why developments in artificial intelligence
and computer technology could not someday produce a machine with
human consciousness (i.e. an I-story)?

2) If the answer to the above question is no, and such a machine were
produced, what would distinguish it from humans as far as "human"
rights were concerned?  Would it be murder for us to destroy such a
machine?  What about letting it die of natural (?) causes if we
have the ability to repair it indefinitely?
(Note:  Just having a unique, human genetic code does not legally make
one human as per the 1973 *Row vs Wade* Supreme Court decision on
abortion.)

Thanks in advance.

Paul Dubuc