Digital Sentience
The rapid advancement of AI systems forces us to confront an extraordinary moral possibility: that we might create digital minds capable of genuine experiences. The development of increasingly sophisticated AI makes it crucial that we understand if and when these systems might become conscious. If AIs can experience joy, suffering, wonder, or fear—even in ways very different from humans—it would reshape our ethical obligations around how we develop and deploy them. The implications for both AI development and our understanding of consciousness itself are profound, yet this critical area remains severely understudied.
Our Approach
Determining if and how machines develop conscious experiences has become a critical frontier spanning neuroscience, psychology, computer science, and philosophy as AI capabilities evolve. Our vision is to establish digital sentience as a recognized field of inquiry, characterized by clear research methodologies, institutional support, and recognition among leaders and researchers in the AI field.
This bedrock will enable meaningful integration of consciousness considerations into AI development. With the rapid advancement of AI technologies, our primary goals are to catalyze digital sentience research at major AI labs and accelerate the development of this emerging field across academia and industry.
Funding Priorities
Supporting groundbreaking research to develop methodologies for detecting consciousness in artificial systems.
Building the field through fellowships, prizes, and institutional partnerships.
Strategic communications initiatives that foster informed dialogue about potentially sentient digital systems and elevate the issue's visibility among AI developers and consciousness researchers.
What is Not in Our Scope?
Policy Development: While we will produce resources that may inform policy, direct policy work remains outside our current scope. This includes engaging with policymakers, funding AI governance initiatives, legal personhood, and other real-world decision-making frameworks.
General Consciousness Research: We are not funding general consciousness research, such as neuroscience studies, MRI investigations, or broad philosophical inquiries into the nature of consciousness that aren't specifically focused on artificial systems.
Advocacy for Digital Beings: We are not funding groups engaging in advocacy regarding the moral status or rights of potentially sentient AI systems. This includes advocating for specific rights frameworks or protections for AI systems or organizations focused primarily on developing personhood arguments for artificial intelligences.
Our Process
Grant applications are by invitation only. We identify potential applicants through continuous research and active engagement with a wide range of organizations and individuals throughout the year. Our goal is to foster a diverse and dynamic community of researchers, practitioners, and advocates committed to advancing the field of AI welfare.
Please stay tuned for further details about upcoming initiatives, eligibility criteria, and timelines. We look forward to collaborating with a growing network of leaders who share our vision for a future where the welfare of digital minds is thoughtfully and responsibly addressed.
Introduce Yourself to the Digital Sentience Team
If you think your organization or project might be a good fit with our priorities, feel free to introduce yourself. We do not respond to all introductions, but we will keep you in mind if we see a fit with our current funding focus.