Part 4/6:
If individuals or organizations start making consequential decisions based on the mistaken belief that AI systems are sentient, the risks multiply exponentially. For example, someone might advocate for rights or protections for AI, or make moral decisions impacting AI systems’ data privacy and usage—decisions rooted in anthropomorphic illusions rather than factual reality.
Moreover, this tendency can impact policy, regulation, and societal norms. The perception of AI as sentient might fuel fears, misconceptions, or unwarranted demands that hamper technological progress or misallocate resources.