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Hikari Sorensen

California Institute for Machine Consciousness (CIMC) · Functionalist

Hikari Sorensen is a theoretical AI researcher and fellow at the California Institute for Machine Consciousness (CIMC) in Berkeley. Her research addresses the formal mathematical and structural criteria required to transition artificial neural networks from passive pattern recognizers into autonomous conscious agents.

At the 2026 CIMC Machine Consciousness Salon series, Sorensen formulated “Genesis Theory,” developed in collaboration with Joscha Bach and international machine consciousness researchers. Genesis Theory specifies the exact functional preconditions for synthetic awareness. An artificial system must maintain self-generating boundary conditions, causal insulation from external interference, and a recursive virtual machine architecture capable of tracking its own state transformations across time.

Sorensen’s applied frameworks guide experimental testing across neuromorphic and multi-agent platforms, defining concrete benchmarks for synthetic agency beyond superficial conversational emulation.

Known for. Genesis Theory of Machine Consciousness, synthetic agency requirements, causal insulation, CIMC Machine Consciousness Salon series (2026)

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Every researcher covered on this site is indexed in the directory of consciousness researchers, grouped by the position their published work defends. The positions themselves are set out in the index of consciousness theories.