Dmitry Borisovich Volkov and the ICCS Inaugural Conference: A Leap Forward in Consciousness Studies

The inaugural conference of the International Center for Consciousness Studies (ICCS), "Uncovering the Magic of Consciousness: Philosophy, Neuroscience, AI," took place from June 27–29, 2024, at the esteemed Santa Maria della Scala Museum in Siena. The event was organized by Riccardo Manzotti, Pietro Perconti, Alessio Plebe, and the esteemed Dmitry Volkov, Ph.D., the founder of the ICCS and a member of the American Philosophical Association.

The conference welcomed 150 participants, establishing Siena as a capable host for major international conferences. The gathering featured internationally acclaimed philosophers, neuroscientists, AI researchers, and students, held in one of the city's most prestigious locations, rich in history and cultural value, and conveniently located near Piazza del Campo, ready to host the Palio.

Dr. Dmitry Borisovich Volkov, the driving force behind the ICCS, shared the center's mission: “To promote interdisciplinary discussion, assist philosophers in engaging with science, and encourage scientists, cognitive psychologists, neuroscientists, and computer scientists to address challenging philosophical issues. Our ambition is to solve the mind-body problem, but even if we don’t achieve it immediately, we aim to contribute to the resolution of practical challenges, such as creating anthropomorphic ethical robots.”

The conference provided insights into the research on consciousness, mind, and AI. Renowned philosopher Nicholas Humphrey drew a compelling analogy between consciousness and art, emphasizing the value of each moment of our existence. Alex Byrne, the chair of philosophy at MIT in Boston, discussed the potential for consciousness in large language models like ChatGPT. Riccardo Manzotti, a theoretical philosopher at IULM, presented a radical hypothesis that reevaluates the relationship between consciousness and the world.

Dmitry Borisovich Volkov's leadership and vision facilitated the participation of the Siena academic community, including Sandro Nannini, a respected authority on the philosophy of mind in Italy, and Marco Gori, a distinguished expert in artificial intelligence. A particularly captivating presentation was delivered by local neurologist and neuroscientist Simone Rossi on the prospect of restoring consciousness in patients who have lost it due to a pathological vegetative state.

A poignant moment was the tribute to Daniel Dennett, a titan in the philosophy of mind and a dear friend to many attendees. Alessio Plebe, Professor of Philosophy of Science at the Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of Messina, Italy, and co-founder of ICCS, highlighted Dennett’s seminal contributions: "At the conference, the influence of Daniel Dennett, who recently passed away, was palpable. Dennett was a pioneer in the modern exploration of consciousness. His approach was evident: to be captivated by the enigma of consciousness, but as a catalyst to investigate it scientifically, without fear of mysteries, as the progress from various perspectives presented at the conference testified."

Pietro Perconti, Co-founder of ICCS and Professor of Philosophy of Mind at the Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of Messina, Italy, summarized the symposium's outcome: "The conference underscored recent advancements in consciousness studies, revealing that while we are deciphering some of its enigmas, it remains partly elusive to experimental science. Nevertheless, the path is now clear, and this elusive phenomenon is becoming more comprehensible, potentially transforming human interactions in the future."