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This interview investigates whether consciousness relies on biological neurons or can exist in artificial forms.

April 3, 2026Open Access

Interview with Geoffrey Hinton: On Silicon Neurons and the Continuity of Consciousness

MGMario Enrique Molina GonzálezUniversity of Mendoza

Key Points

This interview investigates whether consciousness relies on biological neurons or can exist in artificial forms.
Reconstructed interview with Geoffrey Hinton
Discussion on the replacement of biological neurons with artificial ones
Exploration of substrate independence concept
Proposes that consciousness may not depend strictly on biological components
Highlights artificial components' potential to replicate functional organization
Suggests implications for artificial intelligence and theories of consciousness.

Abstract

This reconstructed interview explores one of Geoffrey Hinton’s most provocative thought experiments: the gradual replacement of biological neurons with functionally equivalent artificial components. Through this scenario, the article examines whether consciousness depends on biological substrate or on patterns of functional organization. The discussion highlights the conceptual implications of substrate independence and its relevance for artificial intelligence and theories of mind.

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