IF there is a true physical reality and the universe is not only in our mind, then artificial consciousness is a foregone conclusion. Not only that, artificial consciousness will be many orders of magnitude more complex and rich than anything we experience today. This is because biological consciousness has emerged through randomness. Imagine when consciousness can be evolved through technological means. It will be the difference between the flight of a bird, and a SpaceX rocket.
Hmm, imagine nature evolving "non-technological" creatures capable of space-flight... but I better leave the reasons for and implications of such developments to ppl. like N. Stephenson ;)
