Inside (Out) the Black Box. Legal and Philosophical Speculations on the Implications of “Sentient” Artificial Intelligence(s)

The implications of “sentient” artificial intelligence (AI) are profound and multifaceted. This chapter delves into the legal and philosophical dimensions of AI, speculatively examining its potential to exhibit consciousness, self-awareness, and emotions. Despite advancements, no AI has yet demonstrated true sentience, but the discussion remains urgent due to rapid developments in generative AI, like ChatGPT and LaMDA. Legally, this chapter explores how sentient AI might challenge current frameworks that attribute rights and responsibilities on the basis of human-centric criteria. Philosophically, it scrutinizes the assumptions and paradigms that shape our understanding of AI, emphasizing the need to reconsider traditional notions of intelligence and consciousness. This chapter concludes that addressing the speculative emergence of sentient AI requires taking a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach that combines legal foresight with philosophical inquiry, ensuring that societal impacts are managed responsibly and ethically.