“The real risk is not that AI will take over—it’s that we will willingly give it control”

In the ever-evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI), one fundamental question remains unanswered, can AI ever possess consciousness? While AI continues to break new ground in problem-solving, creativity, and even emotional simulation, there remains an undeniable chasm between intelligence and true awareness.

How does consciousness set us apart from artificial intelligence? To find out, The Tech Panda spoke to Deep Bundela, an AI product leader, entrepreneur, and author of the book “The Mystery of Mystics: 37 Secrets of Consciousness – A Path to Evolve”, which explores a world where AI is rewriting the rules of human existence.

“Consciousness is more than just intelligence—it is awareness. AI can simulate intelligence, but it cannot experience self-awareness, intuition, or presence. That’s why we have artificial intelligence, but we don’t have artificial wisdom,” he says.

He explains further with an example, “AI processes information, but consciousness experiences reality. To understand this better, imagine you’re in a completely dark, vast space. Now imagine, in order to see, you have a lantern or torch with you. Intelligence is like the light that illuminates the path in front of you. But consciousness is the awareness that holds the light. The light may guide your way, but it’s consciousness that decides which direction the light should point.”

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He says that this distinction is key because consciousness is far deeper than intelligence.

AI has been achieving more and more in the past few years, making us wonder at its ability to create, explore, and replicate human concepts. A recent study explored whether AI could ever be truly conscious, or if it’s just really good at faking it. Researchers used the free energy principle to examine the differences between human brains and computers, pointing out that while AI can mimic some cognitive processes, its underlying structure is fundamentally different. This distinction might be key to understanding why AI won’t achieve real consciousness. The goal? To make sure we don’t accidentally create artificial consciousness or get tricked by AI that only seems self-aware.

“Not too long ago, intellectual skills like math were essential. But with the invention of calculators, they became obsolete. About 35 years ago, cognitive skills were crucial—until computers surpassed them. Today, AI has surpassed human creativity and cognitive intelligence. So, what’s left? Only consciousness—an essence AI can never replicate,” he adds.

Today, AI has surpassed human creativity and cognitive intelligence. So, what’s left? Only consciousness—an essence AI can never replicate

He foresees a future where the only thing that will set us apart and give us an edge is how deep our consciousness is.

“This is why I explore the relationship between AI and consciousness in The Mystery of Mystics: 37 Secrets of Consciousness—to delve into why human awareness holds such power and how transformative the journey of consciousness can be. By deepening our understanding with each secret, we can better navigate the ocean of our inner wisdom and the complexities of the AI era,” he says.

Does this mean we can be certain that consciousness will never be replicated by AI in the distant future?

“Consciousness transcends knowledge, logic, and belief. AI operates within the realm of logic, but consciousness spans multiple dimensions—emotion, energy, spirituality, and awareness. Logic alone cannot access these other layers,” replies Bundela.

“Think of AI imitating emotions—it can simulate them, but it can never truly feel them. AI may predict what you’ll say next, but does that mean it understands you? No. To truly create consciousness, you need to understand its secrets—and AI is nowhere near that,” he elaborates.

AI may predict what you’ll say next, but does that mean it understands you? No. To truly create consciousness, you need to understand its secrets—and AI is nowhere near that

“Today, technology is confined to logic, a single dimension. Emotions, energy, and spirituality exist in other dimensions, ones AI doesn’t touch. Consciousness, by its very nature, can create more of itself. This is why AI will never create true consciousness. It can imitate, but it cannot awaken. Creation requires much more than imitation,” he reiterates.

Even if consciousness is never replicated by AI, AI will impact human consciousness in a big way.Bundela says the real danger isn’t AI becoming conscious, it’s humans losing their own consciousness. “AI is already reshaping human attention, memory, and decision-making. With every task we outsource to machines, we risk becoming more disconnected from our own inner intelligence. The real question is, are we losing control over our own consciousness?”

With every task we outsource to machines, we risk becoming more disconnected from our own inner intelligence. The real question is, are we losing control over our own consciousness?

He says the changes we can expect because of AI’s impact on human is that it could spell the death of deep thinking.

“We’re consuming more data than ever but reflecting on it less. As AI takes over complex tasks, our ability to think critically and deeply diminishes. We no longer have to search within for answers—we rely on machines. In doing so, we risk losing the very skill that defines us as human,” he says.

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Another risk, he says, is emotional disconnection. What social media was already doing, AI is starting to make worse with life like bots that people often get obsessed with. Chatbots are being touted as cures for loneliness, but critics say they actually make isolation worse. 

“AI can simulate emotions, but it can never truly feel them. What happens when we forget this distinction? When we begin to view AI as capable of genuine empathy or understanding, we lose touch with our own emotional depth. We begin to prioritize machine-generated responses over human connection,” explains Bundela.

When we begin to view AI as capable of genuine empathy or understanding, we lose touch with our own emotional depth. We begin to prioritize machine-generated responses over human connection

“AI can generate ideas, predict outcomes, and offer solutions, but does it truly understand what it generates? Just because it can mimic intelligence doesn’t mean it possesses it. The question is: Will humans still be able to tell the difference? Will we lose the ability to question, reflect, and discern true understanding from mere simulation? The real risk is not that AI will take over—it’s that we will willingly give it control,” he adds.

Consciousness is not merely the ability to process data or generate responses; it is the deep, intrinsic experience of being. It is the awareness that enables us to reflect, feel, and choose with intention. AI, for all its advancements, remains a tool, a sophisticated one, but ultimately devoid of self-awareness. The journey to understanding this difference is crucial as we step further into the age of AI.