# Minimal Computational Preconditions for Subjective Perspective in Artificial Agents

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.02902 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.02902/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 4 of its 22 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 2 Feb 2026.

## Builds on (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Concrete Problems in AI Safety](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1606.06565/) (2016)
- [Mastering Atari with Discrete World Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2010.02193/) (2020)
- [Integrated information theory (IIT) 4.0: Formulating the properties of phenomenal existence in physical terms](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.14787/) (2022)
- [Path integrals, particular kinds, and strange things](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.12761/) (2022)

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Same World, Differently Given: History-Dependent Perceptual Reorganization in Artificial Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.04637/) (2026)
- [Body-Grounded Perspective Formation and Conative Attunement in Artificial Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.16728/) (2026)
- [Perspective Latents as an Architectural Condition for Causal Emergence in Active Inference Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.20708/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

This study operationalizes subjective perspective in artificial agents by grounding it in a minimal, phenomenologically motivated internal structure. The perspective is implemented as a slowly evolving global latent state that modulates fast policy dynamics without being directly optimized for behavioral consequences. In a reward-free environment with regime shifts, this latent structure exhibits direction-dependent hysteresis, while policy-level behavior remains comparatively reactive. I argue that such hysteresis constitutes a measurable signature of perspective-like subjectivity in machine systems.