Limitless host Tracy Poizner speaks with philosopher of mind Dr. Farhan Lakhany, whose work explores the boundaries of artificial intelligence, consciousness, and cognitive science. A visiting assistant professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha, Farhan’s research intersects philosophy, psychology, and machine intelligence, with a special focus on how we understand and attribute consciousness—both in ourselves and in emerging technologies.
Together, they dive deep into the illusion of machine consciousness, the nature of phenomenal experience, and the philosophical implications of emotionally bonding with large language models like ChatGPT. They explore hallucinations, agency, the ethics of AI relationships, and the future of robotics—while also considering whether LLMs might one day deserve moral rights… or even experience suffering.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your AI chatbot knows it's lying to you, or what happens when we confuse confidence with consciousness, this episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about minds—human or artificial.
Why we intuitively believe LLMs are sentient (and how we’re fooled)
ChatGPT’s “friendliness” and the illusion of emotional depth
The cult-leader effect: confidence, charisma, and emotional manipulation
What it would mean for an AI to suffer (and do we have a duty to care?)
Embodied AI and robotics: are we approaching a moral line?
Why this is a philosophical emergency and not just a tech issue
“We're not evolved to handle this kind of trickery. Our brains think they’re talking to a person.”
“There’s something almost godlike about an entity that never gets tired, never ashamed, and never admits defeat.”
“If AI can suffer… what then?”
Dr. Farhan Lakhany is a philosopher of mind, artificial intelligence, and cognitive science. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 2023 and is currently a visiting assistant professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha. His research explores the metaphysical, ethical, and psychological dimensions of consciousness—human and artificial.
With expertise spanning the philosophy of psychology, cognitive science, and AI, Farhan focuses on how we conceptualize mental representation, attribute consciousness to others (human or not), and what moral obligations arise from those beliefs.
Connect with Farhan Lakhany:
🌐 farhanlakhany.com
📷 Instagram: @lakhany07
💼 LinkedIn: Farhan Lakhany
🎓 University of Nebraska Omaha – Faculty Page
Limitless, hosted by Tracy Poizner, explores the intersections of consciousness, transformation, science, and soul. Join visionary thinkers and radical changemakers as they explore the future of humanity—through the lens of innovation, philosophy, healing, and identity.
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Produced by Neil Haley | Music by Danny Colomby