MIT Review: AI consciousness debates are a liability trap for builders
nordicinst · x · 2026-08-21
MIT Technology Review published an opinion piece arguing that debates over AI consciousness are a trap. The article suggests that anthropomorphizing AI or granting it "personhood" muddies the waters of liability, allowing companies to escape responsibility for harms caused by their systems. The author asserts that AI should be treated as software, not a soul, with builders remaining liable. The piece critiques narratives from tech leaders and regulators, arguing that emphasizing AI's "uncontrollability" or "autonomy" essentially serves to absolve tech corporations of accountability.
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