Dueling AI agents could reveal keys to restoring consciousness: A new study probes consciousness with models that simulate and classify brain activity. A neuroscientist behind the work explains its ambitions.

The article focuses on a study by neuroscientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, who developed two artificial intelligence (AI) models to simulate and classify brain activity related to consciousness. One model, called the "black box," was trained on electroencephalography (EEG) data to distinguish conscious from unconscious states, while the other, the "glass brain," generated EEG patterns to fool the black box. Their findings confirmed known brain behaviors in disorders of consciousness and revealed new roles for the globus pallidus externa and inhibitory neuron coupling in unconsciousness, validated by clinical data. The study also predicted that deep-brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus might enhance consciousness, prompting plans for clinical trials. The researchers suggest their AI approach could extend to studying consciousness across species and other neurological or psychiatric conditions. [Extracted from the article]