In Algo Podcast Episode 29, Marcello Massimini and Amjad Hussain discuss Disorders of Consciousness.
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0:00 Episode Preview
2:56 Introduction
3:08 Prototype Testing – radar of protecting consciousness in challenging conditions
6:32 Spectrum of disorders of consciousness
8:22 Coma
9:22 Activating systems
13:01 What happens after coma
14:18 Unresponsive wakefulness
16:13 Assessing consciousness after coma
22:32 Combining PCI method with other methods
24:46 Measuring brain metabolism
26:46 Sizing Up Consciousness
28:13 Mystery of falling asleep
31:44 Sensory information during active & silent periods
32:43 Universe of Consciousness & exchange of information within the brain
36:27 Combining TMS & EEG
37:57 Integrated Information Theory (IIT)
41:09 Link between consciousness & complexity
44:12 IIT starts from consciousness
46:08 Structure of experience
47:22 Making an inference of physical world
50:44 Bringing artificial consciousness into AI
52:04 Neurotransmitters that wake people up
53:58 Repairing neuron structures
56:39 Sleep like low-complexity states
58:10 Removing parts of the cortex & functionality
1:02:37 Intelligence that comes from cerebellum
1:03:44 Front structures of brain
1:05:55 Building conscious machines
1:08:40 Activation switch integration with the cerebellum
1:10:41 Intrinsic existence & reciprocal interactions
1:11:54 Input-output relationships
1:15:34 Consciousness respect to other living creatures
1:21:48 Anesthesia
1:26:14 Hallucinations
1:29:22 Marcello’s Research Priorities
1:32:16 Collaboration with research community
1:34:33 Problems with short-term research
1:39:09 Getting in touch with Marcello & investing
About the host

Amjad Hussain
Amjad Hussain is an entrepreneur at heart. He founded Algo where he is the CEO during the day and AI lego blocks designer at night. He has built an intrinsically motivated global team of deep business domain experts, AI architects, computer scientists and software engineers. Algo is an always on full stack platform with deep learning, augmented reality and workflow automation woven at its core. The platform has a conversational virtual business analyst persona as its primary user interface. The company is enjoying sustainable growth creating tremendous net new value for its customers world-wide.
Amjad completed his Bachelors in Electrical Engineering with Honors from UET Lahore. He earned his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from UMIST, in the United Kingdom and an Advanced Analytics MBA from MIT. He has completed general management programs at Harvard and Stanford business schools. Amjad deeply cares about ethical issues surrounding AI and its societal impact.