Could AIs become conscious?
Leaders | Our cover
Could AIs become conscious?
Even if they don’t, they might be treated as such—to humanity’s great cost
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Aug 20th 2026|5 min read
MOST PEOPLE believe humans are different. The reason is that Homo sapiens has evolved to be conscious. Many animals feel pain and pleasure; some appear to be self-aware. But the human mind’s unique potential to exhibit a sense of self marks out every member of the species for special treatment.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Could AIs become conscious?”
From the August 22nd 2026 edition
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