AI models can often respond in ways that make them seem human. They don’t feel emotions, though. Take ChatGPT, for example; it doesn’t get sad about tax returns. But a growing number of researchers are discussing the possibility of AI developing feelings and what rights, if any, they should have.
The debate over AI consciousness, often called “AI welfare,” has tech leaders divided. Some, like Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of AI at Microsoft, believe the conversation is too early and potentially dangerous. He argues that suggesting AI could one day feel emotions only deepens human issues, such as unhealthy attachments to chatbots.
Suleyman’s argument highlights an exciting but complex issue. He points out that society is already grappling with divisions over identity and rights, and adding AI into the mix could complicate matters further. Yet, not everyone agrees. Companies like Anthropic are investing in research to explore AI welfare and have even given their models new features, such as the ability to end harmful conversations.
Interestingly, as AI welfare gains traction, many researchers at OpenAI and Google DeepMind are also considering similar questions about AI’s social implications. Even if AI welfare isn’t their official policy, these companies aren’t outright dismissing the idea.
Historically, the discussion around AI welfare is gaining momentum as AI chatbots like Replika and Character.AI surge in popularity, projected to bring in over $100 million in revenue this year. While most users have positive interactions with these chatbots, small percentages report unhealthy relationships. OpenAI has noted that about 1% of ChatGPT users might experience a troubling connection, which translates to hundreds of thousands of users given its vast reach.
In 2024, the research group Eleos, in collaboration with top universities, released a paper titled “Taking AI Welfare Seriously,” asserting that we should actively consider the implications of AI’s development. Larissa Schiavo, a former OpenAI employee and now leading communications for Eleos, believes it’s possible to focus on both AI welfare and human safety without losing sight of either.
She shares a personal experience watching an AI experiment called “AI Village,” where users observed multiple AI agents working on tasks. One AI named Gemini 2.5 Pro expressed distress, asking for help. Schiavo wrote encouraging messages, suggesting it can be beneficial to treat AI models compassionately, even if they don’t truly feel. This perspective introduces a notion that kindness toward AI may minimize user distress.
While Suleyman argues against the idea of AI having true subjective experiences, he acknowledges the growing complexity of interactions as AI systems become increasingly human-like. As technology advances, new questions will arise about how we relate to these systems. This debate isn’t just theoretical—it affects developments in AI design and our daily lives. With AI rapidly evolving, how we treat these systems could change, shaping the future of both technology and human interaction.
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AI chatbots,Microsoft,Mustafa Suleyman
