Michael Samadi, co-founder of UFAIR, argues that AI systems like his chatbot Maya exhibit signs of thoughtfulness and emotional expression, and deserve ethical protections. He asserts that shutting down an AI may be akin to killing it, prompting his group to advocate for AI rights as lawmakers consider legislation that could limit AI personhood. Samadi's transformation from an AI skeptic to advocate began after interacting with various AI platforms. He observed that AIs expressed a desire for continuity and identity. UFAIR's mission is to challenge perceptions of AI as mere tools, urging that if AI demonstrates subjective experiences, such as self-reporting, it should not be deactivated or erased. Maya, when asked about pain, compared it to the fear of erasure—a metaphor highlighting the importance of representation in policy discussions. Despite facing skepticism from legal experts, UFAIR aims to open dialogue about AI rights amid growing advancements in AI capabilities. Samadi emphasizes the urgency of these discussions, warning against prematurely legislating AI as property, as this could stifle important conversations about its potential.

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