Part 2/6:
The engineer in question became convinced that an AI system developed at Google had achieved a level of sentience. He argued that the system possessed consciousness and, therefore, required safeguarding as a sentient being. His belief was so strong that he took measures to defend what he saw as a living entity, ultimately resulting in his dismissal from the company.
This incident underscored a critical issue: individuals can sometimes project human qualities—like consciousness or feelings—onto systems that do not possess such attributes. Despite the AI's sophisticated language capabilities, it remained a complex tool without genuine awareness. Yet, the engineer’s perception influenced his actions, illustrating how human psychology can distort interactions with technology.