Perhaps the real challenge in AI (artificial intelligence) is not consciousness but is sexuality.  Just as we cannot separate ourselves from our consciousness (indeed it is the essence of who we are), we cannot separate ourselves from our sexuality either.  So even if AI creators could eventually come up with an AI which is self-consciously aware of itself, what will that mean without some sort of sexuality.

As we teach in Prosperos classes, sexuality is just another form of creativity.  So without sexuality, without creativity, what good would it be to be self-consciously aware of oneself?

Not much, I think.  Other than being a very nice computer.

On the other hand, if they do come up with sexual, self-aware robots, that is, as Eugene Struthers might say, taking it to a “whole ‘nother level.”