ABSTRACT
There is a significant debate between scientists as to whether computers will be able, sooner or later, to emulate all of the functions of the human mind and satisfy the conditions of the Turing Test. Some experts argue that the biological processes that the brain uses invoke quantum mechanical principles: ‘owing to its quantum character, the brain necessarily generates an amorphous mass of overlapping and conflicting templates for action’ (Schwartz et al. 2004). This means the brain is quite capable of holding contradictory views and our intentional conscious mental efforts are able to shift unstable patterns of activity towards stable patterns, increasing our chances of achieving our intended outcomes. They further argue that quantum effects produce consciousness and that the mind is a quantum computer that cannot be emulated by classical computing machines. Uncertainty is inherent in any quantum phenomena so that outcomes may not be predictable. So far, nothing in the world of artificial intelligence or computing resembles the complexity of the human mind. For the moment at least it seems that the human mind has far more depth, complexity and mystery than we are capable of creating artificially. Any neuroscience-based insights need to be conveyed with an appreciation of the richness of what it is to be human.
