Does it make sense to speak of "Universal Consciousness" or "Universal Intelligence"?

[pocaracas]

Why the added baggage? Shouldn't the first layer be enough to bring about consciousness?

Consciousness, yes, human mind, nope. Consciousness as simple awareness is not quite enough to make human system function. As I understand the idea, you can compare neuronal level to the computer you use, as "extended mind". you know the idea: when we get more and more used to computers and other technoogical products, they become extensions of our brain; you don't use your memory, you google, etc.
But why assume this more fundamental level? Penrose thinks computation is not enough to account for human intelligence. But there are also other reasons that, I think, have more to do with the problems of interpreting QM in general.

Well, I think the neural level is enough. Each time I think that I once created an Artificial Neural Network (fully software based) that, with only some 50 neurons, could perform tomography, I wonder what could be achieved with millions of neurons that are always tweaking their own pathways.

Aren't current developments in AI showing just how this is so?

I don't think AI is really showing anything here. Simple question: at what level of complexity should the consciousness appear in AI? There are no reasonable answers to this. And the idea that a Chess playing program (which is practically just like packman, just with more computations) would be consciouis is much more crazy than the idea that some rudimentary awareness is present ate quantum level. Quantum mind theories usually assume that all matter has "proto-consciouss" aspect, some rudimentary awareness that cannot be reduced to computation. Thus, it is a hypothesis that really answers to the question of "level" which AI does not answer: it goes all the way down.

I know the idea is kind of counter intuitive and of course there is no proof for it, but, I mean, think how crazy idea heliocentrism, relativity and evolution were at first.

To me, it seems unnecessary, and the testing of that hypothesis will be far more difficult than the "simple" neural activity.
"proto-consciousness" on all matter? really? I can't wait to see this published!