Take a moment and consider how you define mind relative to consciousness. In reflecting on questions such as: Can something have a mind, but not be conscious? Can something be conscious, but not have ...

Ever since we published our very first issue 123 years ago—yes, we’re old—Popular Mechanics has endeavored to help you understand all kinds of technological marvels, from the tools in your shed, to ...

Could artificial intelligence (AI) become conscious? What used to be a philosophical “thought experiment” is now a real-world conundrum. AI’s explosive development, especially the Large Language ...

For centuries, philosophers have grappled with the mystery of consciousness: the unique inner world that seems fundamental to human existence. Despite the long-standing challenge of finding a ...

In a controversial 2025 paper, a researcher proposed a theory that consciousness may give rise to matter—not the other way ...

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Is it possible to upload the consciousness of ...