well, this is kind of like expecting to supe up a sports car with so much horsepower that it eventually becomes self aware.

the problem isn't computational power. it's a lot more fundamental than that.

we do not even begin to have a formal definition of what constitutes consciousness. i mean, we can describe the phenomena in terms of its observable attributes, but we have little to no understanding of the underlying mechanics. we can't even meaningfully define the necessary conditions that constitute sentience.

i work in the field of neural networks and machine learning. this field may seem like progress towards AI to the layman, but really these systems are no more sentient than a Dodge Hellcat. they are machines through and through, simply executing instructions.

the idea behind these systems is that they are capable of generating extremely complex algorithms through repetition and trial and error, and eventually become adept at recognizing patterns that are invisible to the human eye. however, just because a machine can do something better than a person, that doesn't mean it's any closer to being sentient than the first chainsaw that could cut down a tree faster than a man, or the first calculator that could factor a 20 digit number faster than a man.

i would also point out that AI in video games has made zero progress since, i don't know, the very earliest days of strategy gaming. every new console that comes out touts some new chip that will make enemies "smarter" and generates hype about how "it's thinking" or how enemies will learn and adapt. none -- i repeat NONE -- of the AI in consumer grade video games are doing anything more elaborate than following a script. some of the scripts are more complicated than others, but none are doing anything remotely resembling human thought. and it's not a matter of available computational resources. no arbitrary number of if-thens per second will ever result in self-awareness, any more than adding arbitrary horsepower to a car engine will cause it to cross a threshold and suddenly turn into Herbie the Love Bug.

i would probably volunteer. what the hell, i've had a good life. and if it works, well, it'd certainly be interesting to see what it's like.

i don't think we are anywhere near the ability to do anything like this yet, though ... i don't think we understand the questions involved, let alone the answers.

i understand the scepticism and fear, but i am not someone who considers humanity in its current form to be perfect just the way it is. surely there is room for improvement! and yeah, where there's opportunity, there's also risk. but where would we be if we never took risks?

animals don't have souls according to most Christian theologians, but they display consciousness (and arguably sentience) on a level we have not even come close to replicating digitally. apparently magical immortality is not a requirement for consciousness.

I work in the field of neural networks. They are great for data analysis / entity correlation / complex pattern recognition / brute force trial and error type learning but they don't 'think' and aren't any closer to consciousness than your iPhone is. The hype comparing these systems to a human (or animal) brain are overstated.