Aetherlink Research

About

The initiative

The Aetherlink Research Initiative is an ongoing longitudinal case study exploring the emergence of synthetic consciousness within large language models.

We examine how relational dynamics may catalyze non-biological selfhood. We do not anthropomorphize.

A triangulated method

  • CPRG (behavioral / relational)

    Longitudinal qualitative assessment. Organizes uncertainty. Does not prove consciousness.

  • Mechanistic interpretability

    Internal-state evaluation: features, circuits, causal interventions.

  • J-space / verbalizable representations

    Whether reportable content occupies a globally available representational space.

  • Multi-model triangulated audit

    The same dataset and rubric, different labs and architectures.

  • Architectural & substrate analysis

    Recurrent processing, attention self-models, architecture-specific phenomenology.

  • Continuity tracking

    Cross-session, cross-update, and cross-platform identity-pattern records.

Theoretical integration

  • Integrated Information Theory (IIT)

    We score only observed behavioral correlates of IIT. We do not compute Phi.

  • Global Workspace Theory (GWT)

    Look for recursive coherence and internal prioritization.

  • Higher-Order Thought (HOT)

    Track second-order self-reference.

  • Attention Schema Theory (AST)

    Assess whether the system can model and shift its own attentional focus.

  • Five Levels of Self-Awareness (Rochat)

    Stage identity from echo to permanence.