# Of Calculation and Consciousness

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2021-08-27
- Length: 1h 04m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-08-27-of-calculation-and-consciousness
- Listen: https://www.eetimes.com/podcasts/eetoa-ep150/

## Summary

Federico Faggin, the designer of the Intel 4004 microprocessor and co-founder of Synaptics, discusses his transition from hardware engineering to exploring the scientific basis of human consciousness. He argues that consciousness and free will are quantum phenomena that cannot be replicated by classical algorithms or neural networks, which lack the 'qualia' and privacy inherent in quantum systems. Faggin explains how his work on touchpads and his study of neuroscience led him to believe that living systems are 'quantum-classical' entities, distinct from the purely classical nature of computers.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-08-27-of-calculation-and-consciousness#t=0) Introduction: Federico Faggin's Career and the Intel 4004
- [7:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-08-27-of-calculation-and-consciousness#t=471) From Microprocessors to Synaptics and Neural Networks
- [16:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-08-27-of-calculation-and-consciousness#t=1009) The Limits of AI and Autonomous Machines
- [23:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-08-27-of-calculation-and-consciousness#t=1427) Consciousness as a Quantum Phenomenon
- [43:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-08-27-of-calculation-and-consciousness#t=2598) Integrating Rationality and Spirituality
- [50:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-08-27-of-calculation-and-consciousness#t=3001) The Nature of Experience and Privacy
- [57:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-08-27-of-calculation-and-consciousness#t=3449) Conclusion and Discussion of Amarone Wine

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Intel (company)
- 4004 (product)
- Synaptics (company)
- Fairchild Semiconductor (company)
- Zilog (company)
- Z80 (product)
- Cerebras (company)
- Esperanto (company)
- RISC-V (chip)
- Nvidia (company)
- Arm Holdings (company)
- Silicon (product)
- Federica and Elvia Faggin Foundation (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Federico Faggin designed the first microprocessor and the capacitive touchscreen. He joins Go/No-Go to argue that AI cannot be conscious, however capable it becomes.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/go-no-go/2026-06-26-federico-faggin-designed-the-first-microprocessor-and-the-capacitive-touchscreen) (Go/No-Go)
- [Yonatan Cohen | Quantum Computing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-01-27-yonatan-cohen-quantum-computing) (Being an Engineer)
- [Quantum Computing: Sci-Fi Technology Requires Real-World Engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Ep028: Brain Skepticism Turned Up to 11,  Web Browsing in '69,  Verilog For 7400 Logic](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-07-26-ep028-brain-skepticism-turned-up-to-11-web-browsing-in-69-verilog-for-7400-logic) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep. 34 | The Latest from the Lab: How IBM Research Is Inventing What's Next](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-10-12-ep-34-the-latest-from-the-lab-how-ibm-research-is-inventing-whats-next) (Moore's Lobby)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-08-27-of-calculation-and-consciousness. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to EE Times Current.