The Mind’s Mirage: Why AI Will Never Truly Think Like Us

According to cognitive neuroscientist Anil Seth, human consciousness may be nothing more than a “controlled hallucination,” a complex interpretation of sensory inputs shaped by our brains to forge a coherent sense of reality. In a striking interview with Popular Mechanics, Seth argues that because consciousness arises from deeply subjective, emotion-laden biological processes, it is inherently beyond the reach of artificial intelligence—even the most advanced models.

Seth explains that perception isn’t merely the passive absorption of data but an active construction—where the brain continually makes predictions and corrects them based on sensory feedback. This delicate dance, shaped by evolution and experience, generates our feeling of “being.” In contrast, AI, no matter how sophisticated, lacks the lived experiences, emotional valence, and biological embodiment that underpin human consciousness.

Although AI can imitate intelligent behavior and even simulate human-like responses, it doesn’t “feel,” and thus cannot be truly conscious. This fundamental divide, Seth believes, is often glossed over in discussions about AGI (artificial general intelligence), leading to misconceptions about the future of technology and the nature of the mind.