The _Actor Framework_ for artificial consciousness with an illustrative application to field theories

Advances in artificial intelligence have intensified the need for rigorous methods to assess artificial consciousness. This paper introduces the Actor Framework, a theory-agnostic scaffold comprising seven core questions that any viable theory of consciousness must answer, spanning minimum conditions, complexity, boundaries, content, action, and moral agency. We apply this framework to a systematic review of 21 field theories of consciousness, evaluating their explanatory scope and maturity. Three comparatively developed field theories—Conscious Electromagnetic Information (CEMI), Operational Architectonics (OA), and Zero Point Field (ZPF)—are analysed in detail. We operationalise candidate indicators for minimal conscious experience under each theory and outline measurement approaches for artificial systems. Across all theories, we find significant gaps: none provides a complete account across all framework dimensions, and the “moral actor” aspect remains particularly underdeveloped. The Actor Framework reveals structural weaknesses in current consciousness science, especially regarding boundary formation, valence, and causal efficacy. We propose empirical and theoretical research directions, including perturbation-based testing and the incorporation of field topology. Overall, the framework provides a systematic basis for comparing theories and guiding future work toward the safe and ethical development of artificial consciousness.