Try GOLD - Free
NAVIGATING AI CONSCIOUSNESS: FROM SCIENCE FICTION DREAMS TO SCIENTIFIC REALITY
The Daily Guardian
|November 06, 2025
Modern artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are transforming everything from search engines to scientific research, yet they remain widely misunderstood.
Illustration of the film Her (2013)
Modern artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are transforming everything from search engines to scientific research, yet they remain widely misunderstood.
Movies depict romantic partnerships with synthetic voices or robots plotting revenge. Even everyday conversations sometimes imply that systems like ChatGPT “listen” to our personal emails or guess our thoughts. On 5 November 2025, these misconceptions reached the boardroom: Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella insisted that AI remain a tool and not a person, and Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman dismissed the pursuit of conscious AI as misguided.
In early 2024, Microsoft unveiled a voice assistant that spoke in a soulful tone reminiscent of the film Her, prompting viral comparisons between an AI product demo and science-fiction romance. Shortly afterwards, CEO Satya Nadella expressed discomfort with the term “artificial intelligence” itself. He said he dislikes anthropomorphising AI and prefers to think of it as a different kind of intelligence, emphasising that AI is a tool rather than a mind like his own. Nadella argued that conflating algorithms with human beings encourages unrealistic expectations and distracts from the important work of building useful systems.
Microsoft's head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, went further in an interview published on 3 November 2025. He criticised projects attempting to bestow consciousness on machines and called such efforts “totally the wrong question”. Suleyman explained that models can mimic emotional responses but cannot truly feel; an AI that “complains” when overloaded does not experience pain the way humans do. Instead of chasing sentience, he argued, developers should concentrate on tangible benefits and ensure that AI serves human needs.
This story is from the November 06, 2025 edition of The Daily Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Daily Guardian
The Daily Guardian
High court pulls up Punjab police over NDPS cases, directs DGP to act
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed serious concern over the alleged implication of innocent persons by the police and directed the Punjab Director General of Police to take action against erring officers in a case where the prosecution presented two inconsistent versions.
1 min
March 04, 2026
The Daily Guardian
NO CHICKEN, NO GAINS? EXPERTS BREAK DOWN THE TRUTH
There’s a longstanding belief in fitness circles that eating non-vegetarian food is essential for anyone serious about working out — especially for muscle building and recovery.
2 mins
March 04, 2026
The Daily Guardian
Side parts are officially in: How to wear the trend now
The once-dismissed side part hairstyle has surged back into the beauty spotlight, shedding its “cringe” reputation on social media and becoming one of the season's most wearable hair updates.
1 mins
March 04, 2026
The Daily Guardian
MACRON SAYS FRANCE WILL ALLOW TEMPORARY DEPLOYMENT OF NUCLEAR-ARMED JETS
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday that France will increase its nuclear arsenal and, for the first time, allow the temporary deployment of its nuclear-armed aircraft to allied countries, in a new strategy aimed at strengthening Europe’s independence.
1 mins
March 04, 2026
The Daily Guardian
US tells citizens to ‘depart now’ from West Asia
Secretary of State Marco Rubio advised US nationals to prioritise their safety and exit the region without delay.
1 min
March 04, 2026
The Daily Guardian
CM INAUGURATES NDMC FLOWER FESTIVAL AT CONNAUGHT PLACE
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday inaugurated the New Delhi Municipal Council’s two-day Flower Festival at Connaught Place, drawing visitors to a vibrant display of seasonal blooms and floral installations in the heart of the capital.
1 mins
March 04, 2026
The Daily Guardian
Pak forces killed 67 Afghan Taliban personnel
Pakistan's security forces killed another 67 Afghan Taliban personnel in overnight operations, as they launched attacks across 16 locations along the southwestern border.
1 min
March 04, 2026
The Daily Guardian
Lily Collins opens up on eating disorder journey
Hollywood star Lily Collins has opened up about the emotional journey of publicly sharing her struggle with an eating disorder, describing it as “one of the most terrifying but rewarding” experiences of her life.
1 min
March 04, 2026
The Daily Guardian
Europe defends military bases and struggles to evacuate citizens
The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes across the Middle East are quickly dragging Europe in, forcing the continent into defensive action to protect military bases and evacuate citizens caught up in the conflict.
1 min
March 04, 2026
The Daily Guardian
RBI allots Rs 44,330 cr in state bond auction; cutoff yields range between 6.91%-7.70%
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the results, of the auction of State Government Securities (SGS) held on March 2, 2026, with total allotment amounting to Rs 44,330 crore against a notified amount of Rs 43,130 crore.
1 min
March 04, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size