Full bibliography

Metacognition, or thinking about thinking, is key to advancing AI toward consciousness.Internal reflection is a key mechanism by which we can prevent AI systems from being sunk at the hands of their own complexity, and metacognitive frameworks are formal systems that allow an AI to think about how it thinks — we use existing literature and insight from cognitive science and psychology as well as computer science more broadly to present a synthesizing discussion of this important area in AI. This study examines the practicality of theoretical models of consciousness within state-of-the-art AI frameworks like Tesla FSD, Boston Dynamics robots, Meta Cicero, Google DeepDream, and AlphaStar. It addresses the ethical and social implications of self-aware AI and provides a primer for developing conscious machines.This exploration serves as an entry point to understanding AI's path toward consciousness and its moral and social ramifications.The chapter closes with a primer for researchers and practitioners explaining how these pathways may enable AI systems to approach conscious states.