The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) has introduced the Linda G. O’Bryant Prize to catalyze research into noetic principles related to artificial intelligence. This initiative seeks to spotlight a lesser-known subfield known as artificial consciousness, which grapples with the implications of developing conscious AI systems.
The prize is designed to tackle the philosophical, ethical, and societal dimensions of creating AI that could potentially achieve consciousness. It aims to guide the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) towards principles rooted in benevolence and compassion.
This year, IONS received an impressive fifty-six proposals from a global array of researchers, engineers, philosophers, and interdisciplinary teams. The selection process was highly competitive, involving two rounds of thorough evaluations conducted by a multidisciplinary panel of expert judges.
The $100,000 prize will be equally distributed among three winners whose proposals presented innovative frameworks and empirical methods for understanding and evaluating conscious artificial intelligence systems. Among the ten judges are noted IONS scientists, including Arnaud Delorme, Garret Yount, Dean Radin, and Helané Wahbeh. They were joined by distinguished experts from various fields, such as Julia Mossbridge, Jonathan Schooler, Ron Cline, Prashant Kancherla, Shilpa Shetty, and Nipun Mehta. Each judge brought a unique perspective, emphasizing the importance of both scientific rigor and noetic insight in assessing the proposals. The final selections received endorsement from the IONS Board of Directors, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process.
The winners will be officially announced on November 21, 2025, during a public event taking place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST. Interested individuals can register for the free event or view the recording by visiting noetic.org/prize.
Understanding the Context of Artificial Consciousness
As AI technologies advance, the prospect of creating conscious machines raises critical questions. The implications of such advancements extend beyond technical challenges; they touch on ethical dilemmas and the very definition of consciousness itself. The work generated through the Linda G. O’Bryant Prize aims to deepen our understanding of these issues, fostering a dialogue around what it means to create machines that may possess a form of consciousness.
The prize also emphasizes the importance of steering AI development towards a framework anchored in humanitarian principles. This mission aligns closely with IONS’ broader objectives, which emphasize the intersection of science and profound human experience. Founded in 1973 by Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell, IONS has been at the forefront of exploring consciousness and interconnectedness, striving to promote a more compassionate and thriving world.
In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, where AI systems are increasingly integrated into daily life, the focus on ethical and philosophical considerations becomes crucial. The dialogue initiated by the Linda G. O’Bryant Prize may prove instrumental in shaping how AI technologies are developed and deployed in society.
With a diverse set of judges and a wide range of proposals, the prize not only incentivizes innovative thinking within the field but also calls for collaboration across disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach underscores the complexity of addressing the challenges posed by conscious AI.
As the AI community continues to navigate these uncharted waters, initiatives like the Linda G. O’Bryant Prize are vital for ensuring that the development of AI aligns with values that promote the well-being of humanity. Ultimately, the outcomes of this prize could set important precedents for future research and development in the field of artificial consciousness.
For additional information and updates on the event and prize recipients, please refer to the IONS website at noetic.org.
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