Hey ChatGPT! Octopus Consciousness

Disclaimer: This article includes limited AI generated content. All AI created content will be in quotations.

The obstacles to overcome some of the toughest research topics are immense and often limited drastically by the underlying framework on which we base our understanding of life. We all have some type of implicit bias when it comes to the questions we ask. We all have limitations to our perspectives in one area or another.

Realistically, how would we find the answer to this question? Us. The regular humans who do not have access to major funding, nor a desire to dedicate a life to answering one question. Where would the average individual with a specific curiosity begin to come up with an answer to this question?

I can not tell you what Jenny from the Block would do. She would try an online search that might lead her to a research article or two. She would explore YouTube to find lectures or videos on the topic. She would ask around. She would utilize multiple platforms and resources just to scratch the surface of this query.

I am here to tell you there is an easier way. Forego the rabbit hole; consult with the Oracle instead. I did just that, producing some fascinating results.

I began by asking ChatGPT the prompt: “How might an octopus experience consciousness considering its unique nervous system?” The prompt cuts to the core of the questions of sentience and experience of the animals, while ideally remaining vague enough to test the waters. When it comes to the types of prompts ChatGPT can handle, you are your biggest limiting factor.

The response it generated was constructed in a simple yet effective format. The response begins with an overview section, followed by a section of sub-topics that include specific bullet points. Each response is finished with a clear conclusion. So maybe not your paradigm shifting format, but it works well.

ChatGPT’s first response was clearly picking up what I was putting down from the start. It began this response with an eloquent paragraph. The focus of the section was essentially: “...Unlike vertebrates… octopuses have a distributed nervous system where approximately two-thirds of their neurons are located in their arms rather than in a central brain.” It went onto the highlight that this is fundamentally a different structure than our mammalian neurological structures.

The sub-topics it generated were fascinating and incorporated multiple unique approaches to the question. The main body of the text was composed of 4 sub-topics titled “Distributed Nervous System,” “Implications for Consciousness,” “Cognitive Abilities,” and “Scientific Theories and Research.” Each section had 2 or more bullet points of details.

It ultimately generated the most fascinating conclusion:

“While it's challenging to determine exactly how an octopus experiences consciousness, their unique nervous system suggests it could be a combination of both distributed and integrated processes. Their consciousness might involve multiple levels of awareness, heavily influenced by tactile and chemical sensations, and shaped by both autonomous and centralized neural activities. Ongoing research continues to explore these possibilities, offering valuable perspectives on the diverse nature of conscious experience across different life forms.”

Take a pause right here. Within the span of about 3 minutes, I was provided with a comprehensive summary of the various research on the topic as well as a strong speculation into the realization of all of this data considered together. If I were to attempt to research this topic without an AI tool, I could guarantee you it would take me a minimum of an hour to get this far. I would also probably spend more time on the details rather than in critical thinking.

After reading its response I was inspired with an idea I’d never had before, leading to the next prompt: “Thank you. Octopuses are also known for being loners. Could this be related to its (potentially) innate sense of plurality?”

Truly a crazy thought, I know, but I was ready to get interdisciplinary real quick. ChatGPT did not disappoint. It took a few seconds to process the prompt (using the latest preview model it will take its time to process the data), and the results were even more intriguing.

ChatGPT began with the following introductory statement:

“The octopus’s tendency to be a solitary creature could indeed be connected to its unique nervous system and what might be described as an innate sense of "plurality" in its consciousness. While this is speculative, it offers an interesting way to think about the relationship between its physical and behavioral traits.”

This was only the beginning. ChatGPT quickly dove into this long list of ideas titled “Potential Connection Between Solitude and Plural Consciousness.” This section included 6 sub-topics titled “Distributed Awareness and Autonomy,” “Self-Sufficiency,” “Social Isolation and Cognitive Complexity,” “Reduced Need for Social Learning,” “Evolutionary Drivers of Solitude,” and “Limited Need for Empathy.” Each sub-topic was pretty juicy this time too, filled more with speculation on the research it was referencing.

The next section it provided was a solitary paragraph titled “Solitude as a Reflection of Plurality.” According to this section, “...it might also mean that their sense of self is more fluid and less unified than in humans.” ChatGPT went on to discuss a reduced dependence on social interaction derived from need as well as a speculation into how octopuses might be “...focused on mastering their individual environment…” instead.

This culminated in another fascinating conclusion from my little AI buddy:

“The octopus’s solitary nature and potentially pluralistic consciousness are likely intertwined in complex ways. The distribution of neurons across its body could foster a sense of autonomy that reduces the need for social interaction, as much of its survival relies on its own abilities rather than on collective behaviors. While their intelligence is undeniably high, it seems to be directed more toward solving physical and environmental challenges than forming social bonds, possibly reflecting a form of consciousness that is inwardly diverse and self-reliant.”

The entire response from ChatGPT was speculatory in nature, as I had hoped it would be. My goal was not to decrypt the mind of the octopus in some fully comprehensive study, but rather I sought to challenge my understanding of one of earth’s most fascinating sets of creatures. The cool part: over the span of a ten minute period I was able to absorb way more material than I could have asked for on this one off topic. At this point in my journey on this topic, my curiosity was satiated well enough to move on to the rest of my day.

My curiosity was fine until the question of speculation began to creep into my mind. This ultimately led to an additional go around with ChatGPT on the matter. My third prompt on the topic was as follows: “Going back to your most recent dictation about Octopuses, does it seem likely that there is a connection between their decentralized neurological system and solitary behavior? Or does this connection seem off base, given the modern research on octopus social behaviors?”

Again, ChatGPT got its wheels spinning, as it took about 7 seconds for it to process the prompt. The response generated was much more grounded than its predecessor. It began with a long statement on the previous prompts with the principal statement “modern research suggests that the relationship between octopus neural architecture and social behavior is more complex.” This was followed by a body of three sections followed by another conclusion.

The first body section was titled “Solitary Behavior and Nervous System” in which it covered the historically accepted hypothesis that octopuses were solitary creatures because of their distributed nervous system. “Since much of their sensory processing and decision-making happens in their arms, which can act independently, it could seem logical to think that this autonomy might contribute to self-reliant, solitary behavior.” This section continues on to state that, from this viewpoint, the neurological system (of the octopus) might promote a highly individualistic way of interacting with their environment, “where the need for social cooperation is minimized.”

The next section was titled “Modern Research on Octopus Social Behaviors” in which it dove into the statement “recent research challenges the idea that octopuses are entirely asocial.” This was followed by a bullet point on “Social Octopuses” and a second bullet point on “Environmental Triggers.” Here ChatGPT went into some of the research on the Large Pacific Striped Octopus as well as some research into the Octopus Vulgaris species showing increased socialization under certain circumstances.

The third section of the body was titled “Connection Between Neurological System and Social Behavior.” This section was another solitary paragraph on the modern thoughts on the research into octopus autonomy, stating that the modern understanding “suggests that the decentralized neural system doesn't preclude social interaction… [and instead socialization] may be [more] context-dependent and driven by environmental factors.”

The conclusion ChatGPT produced in this response was much more grounded than its previous conclusion:

“While a decentralized nervous system might support behaviors like autonomy and independence, it doesn’t entirely explain the solitary nature of most octopus species. Modern research indicates that octopus social behavior is more flexible and complex than previously thought, and the relationship between their nervous system and social behavior is not as straightforward as originally assumed. Factors like environment, species differences, and social context likely play a larger role in shaping their behavior.”

After my third bite of the apple, I felt much more fulfilled in my understanding of the idea. ChatGPT, while speculating often, was able to summarize a vast array of research and writing on this topic, that it then translated into much more tangible responses. I had the experience of consulting an interesting person (ok ok, Artificial Intelligence) instead of aimlessly scouring Reddit for thoughts on the topic I wanted to learn about.

The best part was that I had side-stepped the YouTube rabbit hole experience this time. I cannot emphasize enough the small amount of time I spent interacting with ChatGPT about the Octopus. It was all in all just right at about a fifteen minute time commitment.

For more incursions into the world of AI powered, speculative research, keep an eye out for my next installment of “Hey ChatGPT!”. I also highly recommend everyone go out and play with the various free AI tools available to us at this time. You could do this to help brainstorm a topic, get a quick summary of a field of research, or to take a deep dive into some fascinating speculation. The only limiting factor in this equation is you.

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