The Hard Problem of Consciousness with Dr. Subhash Kak

Please join me, Carlene Cross as I speak with Dr. Subhash Kak about the interconnectedness of consciousness, artificial intelligence, and the awareness within us that separates us from computers.

Dr. Subhash Kak’s research has spanned the fields of information theory, cryptography, neural networks, and quantum theory. He completed his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. He is an honorary visiting professor of engineering at Jawaharlal Nehru University, and a member of the Indian Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). Amongst his awards are Science Academy Medal of the Indian National Science Academy (1977), and Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Delhi (2002). Subhash Kak is Regents Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

Dr. Kak’s research has spanned the fields of information theory, cryptography, neural networks, and quantum theory. He is the inventor of a family of instantaneously trained neural networks (for which he received a patent) for which a variety of artificial intelligence applications have been found. He has argued that brain function is associated with three kinds of language: associative, reorganizational, and quantum. His discovery of a long-forgotten astronomy of ancient India that has been called “revolutionary” and “epoch-making” by scholars.

His work has informed a variety of artificial intelligence applications. In 2019, the Government of India awarded Dr. Kak the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, for his contributions on the history of mathematics, science, ancient astronomy and philosophy of science. Subhash is the author of 20 books including technical works and books on Indian science, yoga and art. He is also the author of 6 books of verse.

Subhash is the author of 20 books which include In Search of the Cradle of Civilization, The Nature of Physical Reality, The Architecture of Knowledge, and Mind and Self. Apart from technical work, he has written on Indian science, yoga and art. He is also the author of 6 books of verse. The distinguished Indian scholar Govind Chandra Pande compared his poetry to that of William Wordsworth. His work has been showcased in the popular media including Discovery and History channels, PBS, Dutch Public TV, and in documentaries on music and yoga. See Subhash's fantastic book of poetry Path of Light and Shadow.

Please join me, Carlene Cross as Dr. Subhash Kak and I tackle the Hard Problem of Consciousness.