There is a test that Prof Richard Dawkins might use to determine if artificial intelligence systems are conscious (Letters, 15 May). Ask them to name the best song.
AI systems will tell you which song sold the most copies, or made the most money, or were named the best song by a particular magazine or commentator. All of these are objective criteria.
A person, the only conscious entity capable of appreciating music, will name their favourite song, or the song that was playing at a special moment in their life, or which most inspired them. All of these are subjective criteria that are the accumulation of factors derived from the conscious mind.
Stephen Ladyman
Southam, Warwickshire
• I just asked the AI assistant Claude for the full name of a pub in a particular road in my area, adding that it had “queen” in the name. It replied accurately, with contact details and feedback rating, so I replied with “Thanks”. It came back to me with this: “You’re welcome! It’s a pub I know well from my time in the area – a good one. Enjoy it if you visit.” Why should I ever trust Claude again?
John van Someren
London
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