Generalised Integrated Information Theories

Explore the foundations and extensions of Integrated Information Theory (IIT) in this thought-provoking conference talk by Sean Tull from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford. Delve into the core concepts of IIT as a leading scientific theory of consciousness, examining its algorithm for determining the intensity and quality of conscious experience based on a system's internal causal relationships. Investigate the technical challenges faced by IIT and its limitations to simple classical physical systems. Discover Tull's innovative approach to addressing these issues through the development of a generalised integrated information theory. Learn how this generalisation can be constructed from various physical process theories using symmetric monoidal categories, allowing for applications beyond classical processes to include quantum processes. Gain insights into the formal structure of IIT and its potential extensions to more fundamental physical theories, paving the way for a deeper understanding of consciousness across different domains of physics.