I don’t recall the paper or know the names of any of the theories, but I read about some scientists who, with the idea that consciousness is an emergent propert

I don’t recall the paper or know the names of any of the theories, but I read about some scientists who, with the idea that consciousness is an emergent property of neurons, simulated neurons and found activity analogous to activity associated with consciousness in humans spontaneously occurring. Regardless of the veracity and accuracy of any of it, it left me thinking about what it must be like to be in a state of consciousness but have no memories, experiences, instincts, or senses. Which led down a rabbit hole of ethical questions, including whether such research is ethical at all. The whole thing feels sticky and murky. Can we even know if our creation is conscious? Can we design it such a way that it does or does not have free will? If it is a slave, if we add a reward center to its brain designed such that serving humans would give it its happiest life does that resolve the issue or make it worse?