Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “The most important structure that cannot be mathematically modeled is consciousness”
President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan participated in the Psychology Department Event organized by Kocaeli University of Health and Technology. Delivering striking insights under the theme “Protecting Our Mental Health in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” Prof. Tarhan addressed widely discussed questions such as: “Can artificial intelligence replace psychotherapy? Could it even replace humans? Does artificial intelligence have a psychology or not?” Emphasizing the legitimacy of these questions, Tarhan stated that the human psyche and consciousness cannot be mathematically modeled, and anything that cannot be mathematically modeled cannot be integrated into artificial intelligence. He underlined that the most important structure that currently cannot be modeled mathematically is consciousness and added, “There is no consciousness in artificial intelligence; consciousness exists only in humans.”
Held at the conference hall of Kocaeli University of Health and Technology, the event was attended by Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Dr. Talip Emiroğlu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Kocaeli University of Health and Technology, Rector Prof. Muzaffer Elmas, as well as numerous academics and students.
The event was moderated by Asst. Prof. Ali Ruhan Çelik, Head of the Psychology Department at the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences.
“The most important structure that cannot be mathematically modeled is consciousness”
Addressing topics on artificial intelligence and consciousness, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said: “It is very important that this topic is being discussed and analyzed from various perspectives. Frequently asked questions about artificial intelligence include: ‘Can AI replace psychotherapy? Can it replace human beings? Does AI have a psychology?’ These are all valid questions. However, the human soul and consciousness cannot be mathematically modeled. Something that lacks a mathematical model cannot be integrated into artificial intelligence. The most critical structure that cannot currently be mathematically modeled is consciousness. AI does not have consciousness; consciousness exists only in human beings. Think of a computer, and you can change its IP address and use it on another device. The system can be transferred, but humans are not like that. For instance, when a person is put under anesthesia and then wakes up, they are still the same person. The human body continuously changes after birth, that is, basic elements such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen are completely renewed within six months. Water is the fastest to change, and calcium is the slowest. Despite all these changes, identity does not change. Why is it that a person who is Person A today does not become Person B the next day? Why does the body change but the personality and identity remain constant? Fundamental consciousness studies are currently seeking answers to these very questions.”
“It can never be the final decision-maker”
Tarhan emphasized that artificial intelligence should be seen as an assisting tool: “I don’t see the current development of artificial intelligence as a threat to human life. On the contrary, I see it as an opportunity. Especially in therapy processes and the field of psychology, one of our biggest challenges is accurately tracking the therapeutic journey. At this point, AI can provide significant support. Certainly, AI will serve as a supportive tool in psychology, just as it does in many other professions. For example, it can make diagnosis easier in medicine. But it must be remembered that it can never be the final decision-maker. A wrong decision can lead to a mistaken surgery. Therefore, decision-making authority cannot be left to AI. The same applies to therapy. We cannot leave the final decision about a person’s therapy to AI. But AI can speed up and simplify the process. We must view AI as an assistant tool in this regard. At our hospital, we actively use AI. About 5–6 years ago, we obtained a patent in this area. The system can be used for diagnosing diseases by recording an individual’s brainwaves. By analyzing brain signals, it can make predictions about possible illnesses. The trend is moving in this direction. Thus, we need to seriously consider the integration of artificial intelligence with human psychology.”
“Artificial intelligence especially affects adolescents negatively”
Highlighting the importance of ethical standards in artificial intelligence, Tarhan said: “If ethical standards are not established, AI could become a serious threat to the world. For example, suicide cases related to AI are on the rise. Particularly children and teenagers chat with AI, and over time, they become deeply immersed in these conversations, leading to tragic outcomes. In one example from the UK, a 14-year-old boy committed suicide. The incident, which was reported in the media, revealed that the boy had fallen in love with a blonde character from the series Game of Thrones. When he couldn’t reach her, he ended his life. Unfortunately, such cases exist. That’s why it’s crucial to establish ethical standards. AI especially negatively affects adolescents. On the other hand, for self-aware individuals with high levels of consciousness, AI can greatly facilitate life. It can increase speed, broaden perspectives, and make access to information easier. The effect that AI has on humanity today is similar to the impact the printing press had when it first emerged. Therefore, instead of viewing AI as a direct threat, we must learn how to use it correctly.”
“Goal- and Strategy-Oriented Thinking, which humans struggle to learn, is also difficult for artificial intelligence to comprehend”
Stating that artificial intelligence cannot think in a goal- and strategy-oriented way, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said: “If you program artificial intelligence to only think short-term, that is, developing it without teaching it strategy and long-term planning, and it can lead you to dangerously wrong conclusions. Because AI operates based on how it is trained. A similar situation occurs during adolescence, which is one of the periods when humans make the most mistakes. During this time, emotions dominate over logic. The prefrontal cortex, which should balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain, is responsible for this development. The maturity of the prefrontal cortex, which means decision-making maturity, usually completes around the age of 22. This process can take even longer in males. In cases we call extended adolescence, a person may still exhibit immature behaviors even at the age of 40. This can occur in both men and women. Unlike humans, AI does not undergo such a natural developmental process. Just as humans struggle to think in a goal- and strategy-oriented way, it is also difficult for AI to grasp such thinking. This is because AI makes decisions solely by scanning its data banks and producing a solution based on that. Humans, on the other hand, factor in both emotions and internal dynamics when making decisions. AI lacks such internal reasoning. Moreover, over time, the data banks AI accesses may accumulate incorrect information. When fed with erroneous data, it naturally produces flawed outcomes. That’s why a piece of information may comfort us in the moment, but we must question whether it will still be accurate and appropriate for us 3, 5, or 10 years down the line.”
“Artificial intelligence can facilitate social isolation”
Referring to Hikikomori, a recently discussed concept, Tarhan said: “In 2021, Japan established a Ministry of Loneliness to combat widespread social isolation. In society, loneliness had become so prevalent that a condition called ‘Hikikomori’ was officially recognized as a disorder. This term refers to a person’s complete withdrawal from social life. It now appears in the Turkish literature as well. The individual voluntarily shuts themselves in their home and may not leave for six months. People in this condition even lose the sense of morning—they can no longer distinguish time or place. Their only connection to the outside world is brief updates they get in the morning. The rest of their time is usually spent playing games. Aside from basic needs, they don’t talk to anyone or go outside. If this isolation lasts for six months during adolescence, a Hikikomori diagnosis can be made. This is called ‘the scream of silence.’ From the outside, it seems quiet, but internally there is a loud scream—a serious threat. This situation is spreading rapidly on a global scale. The World Health Organization and the United Nations have issued warnings. They identify three major threats facing humanity in the future: income inequality, climate change, and loneliness. Statistics also demonstrate the severity of this threat. Moreover, AI could accelerate this process because it facilitates the isolation of individuals.”
“Artificial intelligence will initiate a major transformation process for humanity”
Tarhan emphasized the need to take a clear stance against the misuse of AI:
“Artificial intelligence will initiate a major transformation process for humanity. But whether this transformation will be for better or worse depends entirely on our attitude. The direction AI takes depends on the position humanity adopts. If evil spreads in society, AI can become a tool that serves evil. This could lead to the emergence of new tyrants, new oppressors, and new victims. The only way to prevent this is for humanity to stand up for its rights and values. There is a concept known as the illusion of power, where the powerful misuse their strength while the powerless remain silent. As Dante said, ‘The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.’ That’s why we must take a clear stance against the misuse of AI. Otherwise, it will globalize and spiral out of control. Those in power will not hesitate to use technology to dominate the world. The world is moving toward digital dictatorship. For this reason, rather than opposing technology outright, we should focus on how to use it for the benefit of humanity. As we build our future, we must guide technology to serve the good.”
The foundations of positive psychology are rooted in Anatolian wisdom
Speaking about the theoretical foundations of positive psychology, Tarhan said:
“In 2009, an international congress was held in this field. Upon hearing about these developments, I began researching and discovered that the foundational values of positive psychology were quite familiar to us. Anatolian wisdom and the teachings of Rumi had been systematized and transformed into a methodological structure, then introduced to the world under the name of positive psychology. Topics such as self-awareness, self-regulation, social consciousness, empathy, emotional sensitivity, anger control, forgiveness, gratitude, and appreciation are addressed in modular form. We published our first book on positive psychology in the early 2010s. Two years ago, we also released a high school version of the book for ninth-grade students. We’ve also put this approach into practice at our university. As Üsküdar University, in 2013, we introduced positive psychology as a rectorate course across all departments. We were pioneers in this field. Harvard University added this course to its curriculum in 2015, where it received tremendous demand. In 2018, Yale University also included the course in its program. During the pandemic, it was made public, and when 3.5 million people enrolled in a short time, it made headlines in the New York Times. In 2019, the University of Bristol in the UK announced that it had added positive psychology to its curriculum in response to rising suicide rates. This demonstrates that positive psychology is not only a tool for individual transformation but also for societal change. Positive psychology is emerging as a scientifically grounded methodology that can safeguard the future. It offers solutions to problems in societal psychology and holds significant potential in both the prevention and treatment of psychological disorders. Psychology professionals can confidently utilize this discipline.”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)