Exactly! Well done! Indeed this is a semantic issue.
So, to resolve this confusion we simply need to explicitly distinguish between potential to do something and actually doing something. Algorithm for image recognition has the potential to recognize images, but only when executed in matter, image recognition actually happens.
Likewise, we can say that some class of mathematical algorithms has the potential to be conscious. Which means that when executed these algorithms will actually be conscious.
Exactly! Well done! Indeed this is a semantic issue.
So, to resolve this confusion we simply need to explicitly distinguish between potential to do something and actually doing something. Algorithm for image recognition has the potential to recognize images, but only when executed in matter, image recognition actually happens.
Likewise, we can say that some class of mathematical algorithms has the potential to be conscious. Which means that when executed these algorithms will actually be conscious.