Thomas Fuchs

Heidelberg University, University Hospital Heidelberg

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About

Thomas Fuchs is a leading voice in the philosophy of mind and psychiatry, whose recent work critically examines the boundaries between human and artificial intelligence. His research focuses on the phenomenology of embodied cognition, challenging the computational models that underpin much of contemporary AI research. Fuchs’s major contribution lies in rigorously distinguishing the lived, subjective experience of human consciousness from the functional simulations of AI systems. His most cited paper, "Understanding Sophia? On human interaction with artificial agents" (2022, 39 citations), explores whether genuine empathy and understanding are possible with AI, arguing that the lack of a living, embodied history prevents true mutual recognition. In related works, such as "Human and Artificial Intelligence: A Critical Comparison" (2022, 9 citations) and "Human and Artificial Intelligence: A Clarification" (2021, 5 citations), he systematically dismantles the computeromorphic view of the human mind and warns against the anthropomorphic projection onto machines. By grounding his analysis in the tradition of phenomenological psychiatry, Fuchs provides essential conceptual clarity for researchers navigating the ethical and existential implications of advanced robotics, making his work indispensable for students of philosophy, cognitive science, and AI ethics.