I'm excited to announce “Computational Functionalism Debate” (cf-debate.com), a website containing the largest available assembly of arguments in support of and challenging digital consciousness (42 arguments and counting).

The goal is to offer a centralised, easy to navigate repository of the cruxes commonly mentioned in debates about computational functionalism in a digital context. Computational functionalism is a philosophical position that unlocks key theories of consciousness used to assess AI model welfare today. It is plausible but uncertain, defined at a high level as: "performing computations of the right kind is necessary and sufficient for [phenomenal] consciousness." (More detail here on definitions, which philosophical positions matter and which can be ignored for AI consciousness.)

To improve the website content, we are launching a reward program: Major additions or edits prompted by reader input will be eligible for $100 USD, paid directly to you or to a charity of your choice (smaller changes might attract smaller rewards).

This is a project of the Co-Sentience Initiative, a soon-to-be-launched initiative with the goal of diversifying the ecosystem of consciousness research to prepare for a possible future shared with artificial minds. In 2026, we plan to launch new research building on this site, e.g. on which arguments are found most convincing by different audiences, which arguments are least well-known, and what’s typically happening when people change their mind about consciousness (and how often this actually happens). You can sign up for updates via the website.

Test your intuitions

You can test your intuitions about computational functionalism (CF) with our quiz.

Our early research suggests that most people have split intuitions. Even if they support CF in principle and most arguments against CF feel reasonable to them, there will be a few arguments where they lean the other way - and vice versa. These contrary-intuitions are particularly valuable for stress-testing or refining your views.

Interrogating your intuitions - looking for conflicts and identifying consistent narratives that reconcile them - is a fun way of making progress. Exact certainty might be out of reach in philosophy, but some arguments are materially better than others and revised views tend to be more convincing than prior views. The quiz read-out will suggest ...

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