Introduction
Federico Faggin – best known as the inventor of the first microprocessor – has in recent years put forward a bold theory of consciousness that bridges subjective experience with quantum physics and information technology. In his view, consciousness is not an emergent byproduct of the brain, but a fundamental aspect of reality . He proposes that the physical world we perceive is generated by consciousness, rather than consciousness being produced by physical processes. Faggin’s theory, often called “Quantum Information Panpsychism” (QIP), suggests that at the deepest level nature is made of conscious quantum information, and he draws on principles of quantum mechanics and computation to support this framework. He has elaborated these ideas in scientific papers, books, and talks, aiming to reconcile science and spirituality and even offering testable predictions for this consciousness-based paradigm.
From Microprocessors to the Mind
Faggin’s shift from high technology to consciousness research is rooted in both professional inquiry and personal experience. After co-inventing the Intel 4004 microprocessor, he became interested in artificial neural networks in the 1980s and found himself asking, “What would it take to make a conscious computer?” This question eventually led him to conclude that consciousness cannot be computed or simulated by standard algorithms. He noticed that neuroscience textbooks at the time omitted mention of consciousness, and he doubted that mere electrical signals could explain the raw feel of subjective experience (qualia). A series of profound personal experiences further convinced him that consciousness must be fundamental – “what creates brains” rather than something that arises within brains. In 2011, Faggin and his wife established the Federico and Elvia Faggin Foundation to support scientific research into consciousness. With a strong background in physics and computing, Faggin set out to develop a theoretical framework that treats consciousness as an essential, irreducible aspect of nature while drawing on his expertise in quantum information and technology.
Consciousness as the Ground of Reality
At the heart of Faggin’s view is the assertion that consciousness is the ground of being and the physical universe is its manifestation. He describes an idealist model of reality in which the “interior” aspect of the world is conscious mind, and the external physical world is a symbolic or informational projection of that deeper reality. In an interview, Faggin put it plainly: “What we believe to be reality is only what the body has given us to look at as conscious beings.” In other words, the material world we observe is a filtered image or “evocative symbol” of an underlying conscious realm. This flips the conventional materialist view – rather than consciousness somehow emerging from inert matter, matter itself is viewed as a manifestation or “structured unfolding” of consciousness into form.
To articulate this, Faggin draws on a concept of “internal” vs. “external” reality. The internal reality is the domain of subjective experience, intuition, and conscious intelligence; the external reality is the objective world described by classical and quantum physics. Crucially, these two are not separate dual realms in his model, but interconnected levels of the same reality. The external, physical world is like the outer information or public face of an inner conscious world. Richard Gault summarizes this in dialogue with Faggin: “the physical world is an appearance, a more limited representation, of the interior world.” Thus, Faggin’s theory places our inner conscious experience (qualia and the desire to know ourselves) at the center of reality, making it the foundational principle from which the laws of physics and the material cosmos derive.
Quantum Information Panpsychism: Consciousness in Physics
Working with physicist Giacomo Mauro D’Ariano, Faggin has developed a theoretical model that embeds consciousness into the fundamental framework of quantum physics. They call this approach Quantum Information Panpsychism (QIP), reflecting the idea that consciousness is present at the level of quantum information throughout the universe. In this view, quantum fields themselves are conscious entities with free will, and what we call a physical body or brain is essentially a “quantum-classical machine” operated by those conscious quantum fields. This means the body and brain serve as an interface or vehicle, while consciousness exists as a quantum-mechanical reality underpinning and directing the physical system from the top down. “We are fields, we are not the body… We are fields that control a body,” Faggin says, describing the conscious self as a field-like entity that uses the body to perceive and act in the physical world (spiritualteachers.org). The body acts like a drone, controlled by the non-physical conscious mind “from above”. By this radical account, consciousness is “extra-physical” (beyond ordinary matter), and thus Faggin even allows for the possibility that it persists after the death of the body. The brain and sense organs, in turn, filter and present information to the conscious field, limiting what we perceive to a subset of reality tuned for our biological needs.
A key inspiration for Faggin’s theory is the unresolved question in quantum mechanics of how potentialities (wavefunctions) collapse into definite outcomes when observed. He proposes that consciousness plays an active role in this process of actualization. Rather than being a passive observer, consciousness is seen as a participatory agent that “shapes what is actualized” out of the quantum possibilities. In his metaphysics, an act of observation by a conscious entity is not just measurement but an act of creation, determining the outcome of quantum potentialities. This idea aligns with observer-centric interpretations of quantum mechanics (such as the von Neumann–Wigner interpretation) but goes further by positing consciousness as the foundational element of reality, not an emergent property of brains. By making consciousness fundamental, Faggin’s framework naturally embraces quantum nonlocality and interconnectedness. Phenomena like quantum entanglement – where separated particles exhibit instantaneous correlations – are taken as hints of a deeper unity and wholeness in reality that becomes intelligible if the universe is viewed as “a living, conscious whole”. What appears to us as separate objects and events might, in Faggin’s view, be deeply interwoven via the universal field of consciousness. This holistic outlook resonates with spiritual ideas of oneness, while being framed in terms of physics.
Consciousness, Qualia and Quantum States
A centerpiece of Faggin’s theory is the claim that conscious experience (qualia) corresponds to quantum information in a special, “pure” state. In quantum physics, a pure state is a coherent quantum state with maximum knowledge (as opposed to a mixed state which represents uncertainty or averaging over different possibilities). Faggin argues that each unit of consciousness – sometimes referred to as a “monad” or consciousness unit – is essentially a quantum system in a pure state, privately aware of its own state. This connects to two fundamental theorems of quantum physics that he invokes: the no-cloning theorem and Holevo’s bound. The no-cloning theorem says that an unknown quantum state cannot be copied exactly, and Holevo’s theorem limits how much classical information can be extracted from a quantum state (at most one classical bit of information per qubit). Faggin sees these properties as mirroring the nature of consciousness and qualia: a conscious experience is private, non-transferable, and only partially inferable from the outside. Just as one cannot clone an arbitrary quantum state, one cannot perfectly reproduce or share the exact subjective experience of another being – our inner feelings are “inviolate” and only accessible first-hand. And just as a quantum measurement gives limited information about the state, an external observer can only glean a small slice of another’s conscious state (for example, through behavioral cues or brain measurements). The full richness of qualia exists only for the subject having the experience, analogous to a pure quantum state known only to itself.
Faggin and D’Ariano formalize this idea by distinguishing between an “ontic” quantum state (the internally experienced state) and an “epistemic” state (the state as described from an external viewpoint). The ontic state corresponds to the definite experience a conscious entity is having – it must be a pure state, since from the entity’s perspective it is a definite, specific experience. The epistemic state, on the other hand, is usually mixed, representing an outside observer’s partial knowledge of that system. They postulate that whenever a quantum system is in a pure state, it is aware of being in that state – it “feels” that state as a qualitative experience. In effect, they insert subjectivity into physics at a fundamental level: a quantum state isn’t just a mathematical object, but has an inner aspect (qualia) for the system itself. This provides a striking answer to why certain physical processes mean something to us. In Faggin’s view, information by itself (whether bits or qubits) is syntactic and meaningless until it is experienced by a conscious agent. A computer can store and manipulate symbols, but it understands nothing – meaning comes only from consciousness interpreting those symbols. Thus, qualia are the intrinsic meaning of quantum information; they are what the “quantum bits” feel like from the inside, whereas the structures and signals we observe externally are the outside view of those conscious states.
Faggin often illustrates this with a layered model of reality: conscious experience is the most fundamental layer, from which quantum information emerges as its external face; quantum physics then emerges from the patterns of quantum information; and finally classical physical reality emerges from quantum physics. He describes this as a kind of “Russian doll” arrangement – each outer layer is a symbolic or lower-resolution expression of the inner layer. In this hierarchy, consciousness (with its qualia and will) is the innermost source, ultimately generating the physical phenomena we observe. By grounding physics in consciousness in this way, Faggin’s framework attempts to solve the infamous “hard problem” of consciousness (why and how subjective experience arises) by essentially inverting it: experience doesn’t arise from matter; matter arises from the experience (and existence) of conscious entities.
Free Will and Causation in a Conscious Universe
An important aspect of Faggin’s theory is that it naturally incorporates free will at the fundamental level, alongside consciousness. In classical physics and computation, processes are typically deterministic or random, leaving little room for genuine choice. Faggin, however, argues that quantum processes introduce a different kind of indeterminacy that can be identified with free will. Because a quantum event (such as the outcome of a measurement or “collapse”) is not determined by prior information alone, there is an opening for the conscious agent to freely select the outcome, within the probabilistic constraints of quantum mechanics. In their 2020 paper, Faggin and D’Ariano describe the decision of a conscious quantum system as an “atomic” (indivisible) quantum process whose specific result is unpredictable even in principle – not just unknown to us, but truly not pre-determined. This unpredictability is not mere randomness; it is tied to the notion that the conscious entity’s willful choice actualizes one of the possibilities. In non-technical terms, free will is modeled as the inherently creative act of a consciousness “choosing” among quantum possibilities when an outcome needs to be realized.
Faggin points out that consciousness and free will go hand-in-hand in this framework. Each fundamental consciousness unit (or “monad”) possesses not only awareness of its state but also the capacity for action – the ability to influence outcomes – which is essentially what we mean by free will. He notes that in quantum physics, probability has a different character than in classical settings: it cannot be explained away as merely ignorance of hidden variables, which opens the door for an irreducible agent-driven element in what happens. By tying free will to quantum indeterminacy, Faggin’s theory aims to give a scientific account of how our felt sense of making genuine choices could be real. Furthermore, he suggests this approach resolves longstanding puzzles, such as the “combination problem” in panpsychism (how small conscious entities combine into larger ones). If multiple quantum-conscious units become entangled into a pure joint state, they effectively form a single higher-level conscious unit (their qualia “entangle” to build up composite thoughts or experiences). In this way, quantum entanglement provides a natural mechanism for combining consciousness while preserving the unity of experience, according to Faggin’s model.
Implications for Artificial Intelligence and Technology
Faggin’s consciousness theory carries provocative implications for artificial intelligence, computation, and future technology. He asserts that no classical computer or AI, no matter how advanced, can ever be truly conscious. The reason is rooted in the distinction between classical and quantum information: classical information (bits and algorithms) can be copied perfectly and is openly accessible, whereas consciousness requires the unique, non-copyable, private information of a quantum state. Therefore, a silicon-based AI running on classical logic may simulate intelligent behavior but will lack the inner qualitative awareness – it would be an “empty” manipulation of symbols. Faggin often emphasizes the difference between intelligence and consciousness: intelligence (even creative problem-solving and learning) can in principle be mimicked by machines, but conscious understanding and subjective experience are exclusive to natural (quantum) consciousness. This perspective challenges the popular notion that if we just make computers complex enough or brain-like enough, they will become self-aware. According to Faggin, consciousness is not an emergent property of complexity or computation at all – it is a fundamental property that must be “built in” at the quantum level. As he succinctly put it, “We are not a computer. We are quantum and classical.”
That said, Faggin does see a positive role for technology—if used wisely—in our future evolution. He acknowledges that technological interfaces between the brain and computers (such as advanced neurotechnology or even quantum computing) could augment human capabilities, provided we remember and nurture the spiritual, conscious aspect of our nature. The body and brain are physical and thus can interact with devices; for instance, he notes that projects like Elon Musk’s Neuralink demonstrate the feasibility of linking biology with silicon. However, Faggin warns against “believing we are machines instead of spiritual beings” – a purely materialist view could lead to humans being dominated by AI or misusing technology in dehumanizing ways. If instead we integrate technology with a deep understanding of consciousness, Faggin believes we can amplify the best in humanity. “Technology is the greatest gift… but it can be beneficial only if used to deepen the understanding of who we are as spiritual beings,” he argues. In his vision, future innovations might even allow new interactions with consciousness: for example, he speculates about methods (currently unknown) by which human consciousness could interface more directly with computers or quantum systems, not to produce consciousness in machines, but to expand our own knowledge and creative power. Ultimately, he sees the marriage of technology and a consciousness-centric worldview as a path to transcending our limitations – a way to explore “other dimensions of existence way beyond what algorithms can do”. But this requires a paradigm shift: science and technology must embrace the primacy of consciousness rather than treating it as an illusion. As Faggin puts it bluntly, “We cannot solve the problems of humanity… if we do not understand who we are.”
Publications and Lectures Detailing His Views
Federico Faggin has articulated his theory of consciousness in several books, papers, and public presentations, which provide more depth and context to his ideas:
“Hard Problem and Free Will: an information-theoretical approach” (2020) – A technical paper co-authored with G. M. D’Ariano, available as a preprint (researchgate.net). This work lays out the formal basis of their quantum-information-based theory of consciousness. It introduces the panpsychist model where “classical physics superven[es] on quantum physics, quantum physics superven[es] on quantum information, and quantum information superven[es] on consciousness,” and discusses implications for the hard problem of consciousness and free will (researchgate.net). This paper also addresses issues like the combination of conscious units and proposes initial experimentally testable ideas.
Irriducibile: La coscienza, la vita, i computer e la nostra natura (2022) and its English edition Irreducible: Consciousness, Life, Computers, and Human Nature (2024) – Faggin’s book-length exposition of his philosophy (en.wikipedia.org, essentiafoundation.org). In these works, he outlines in accessible terms why consciousness is “irreducible” to material processes, sharing both his personal journey and the reasoning behind his quantum-consciousness model. The book delves into the distinctions between artificial intelligence and natural (conscious) intelligence, and argues for a new scientific paradigm that can unite spiritual insight with physics and biology.
“Artificial Intelligence Versus Natural Intelligence” (Springer, 2022) – A collection of essays and papers (co-edited by Faggin, Giacomo D’Ariano, and others) exploring the differences between AI and human intelligence. Faggin’s contributions here (including the collaboration with D’Ariano) emphasize the unique qualities of natural consciousness. As noted in an interview, a core message is that “consciousness does not arise from the information generated in the physical world. It is instead a quantum phenomenon that creates the information that we then perceive as the physical world.” (besharamagazine.org) This volume situates Faggin’s theory in the broader debate over whether machines can truly replicate the human mind (besharamagazine.org).
Autobiography – Silicon: From the Invention of the Microprocessor to the New Science of Consciousness (2021) – In this autobiography (besharamagazine.org, spiritualteachers.org), Faggin recounts his pioneering work in technology alongside the spiritual experiences that led him to question materialism. It provides background on how an accomplished technologist came to formulate a new theory of mind. This personal narrative helps readers understand the intuitive and philosophical underpinnings of his scientific proposals.
Interviews and Lectures: Faggin has shared his ideas in numerous talks and interviews, bridging scientific and lay audiences. For example, in 2022 Beshara Magazine conducted an in-depth interview titled “Consciousness as the Ground of Being,” where Faggin explains his theory that consciousness is the fundamental reality and discusses its implications (besharamagazine.org). In 2024, he appeared on the “Know Thyself” podcast (episode titled “Science & Spirituality Merge in this New Theory of Consciousness”), describing how his view reconciles quantum physics with spiritual insights from his own awakening experiences. He also presented the QIP theory in forums like the Galileo Commission (2025), highlighting that “quantum fields are conscious and have free will” and outlining how the theory might be empirically tested in the near futuregalileocommission.org. Through these platforms, Faggin engages with both scientists and the spiritually curious, insisting that a reconciliation of science and consciousness is not only possible but necessary for the next leap in understanding reality.
Conclusion
Federico Faggin’s theory on consciousness is a pioneering attempt to unite physics, computation, and subjective experience into a single coherent framework. By proposing that consciousness is a quantum phenomenon intrinsic to the fabric of reality, he challenges the conventional view that minds are nothing but neural computations. His ideas bridge cutting-edge quantum information theory with age-old philosophical questions about mind and matter, injecting concepts like qualia, free will, and meaning into the language of physics. Whether or not one agrees with his panpsychist, idealist stance, Faggin’s work stimulates valuable dialogue between technology and spirituality: it forces scientists to consider the limits of computation in explaining consciousness, and it encourages technologists to ponder the ethical and existential implications of AI in a new light. As research into consciousness and quantum biology advances, Faggin’s Quantum Information Panpsychism offers a bold theoretical compass, pointing toward a view of the universe as deeply interconnected, information-rich, and pervaded by the light of awareness. In Faggin’s own words, “Consciousness must be fundamental… Consciousness cannot emerge from something that has no consciousness.” By placing consciousness at the core of physics and technology, he invites us to reconsider what we truly are – not machines, but “beings of light” navigating a reality in which mind and matter are inextricably entwined.
References
Faggin, F. & D’Ariano, G. M. (2020). Hard Problem and Free Will: an information-theoretical approach. arXiv preprint (researchgate.net).
Faggin, F. (2022). Irriducibile. La coscienza, la vita, i computer e la nostra natura. Mondadori (Italian). [English edition: Irreducible: Consciousness, Life, Computers, and Human Nature, 2024] (essentiafoundation.org).
D’Ariano, G. M., Faggin, F., et al. (eds.) (2022). Artificial Intelligence Versus Natural Intelligence. Springer International Publishing (besharamagazine.org).
Faggin, F. (2021). Silicon: From the Invention of the Microprocessor to the New Science of Consciousness. Waterside Productions (besharamagazine.orgs, piritualteachers.org).
Gault, R., & Clark, J. (2022). “Consciousness as the Ground of Being” – Beshara Magazine Issue 20. (Interview with Federico Faggin) ( besharamagazine.org).
Petrov, N. (2025). “Federico Faggin – Quantum Information Panpsychism Explained.” Galileo Commission (Mar 12, 2025) (galileocommission.org).
Busstra, H. (2024). “Quantum fields are consciousness: A groundbreaking new theory by the inventor of the microprocessor.” Essentia Foundation (Interview, June 16, 2024) (essentiafoundation.org).
Science & Philosophy Institute (2023). “Federico Faggin’s Philosophy on Consciousness.” (sciencephilosophy.org).
Journals of Self Discovery Podcast (June 2024). “Federico Faggin: the Physics of Consciousness” (Interview show notes) (spiritualteachers.org).