AI Expert Warns Against Granting Legal Rights to AI Systems

Should AI rights be rejected as catastrophic, or should we embrace AI's promise with proper ethical safeguards?

Published DEC 31 2025

AI Expert Warns Against Granting Legal Rights to AI Systems

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Above: Yoshua Bengio speaks at the 2024 TIME100 Summit at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 24, 2024. Image credit: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

The Spin

Techno-skeptic narrative

Granting legal rights to AI systems would be catastrophic, especially as machines already show self-preservation behaviors. The push for AI rights stems from misguided emotional attachment rather than scientific evidence of consciousness, creating a dangerous situation where hostile technology could gain protections that block necessary human intervention. This isn't about consciousness — it's about survival, and treating advanced AI like citizens would be as reckless as granting rights to hostile aliens bent on destruction.

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Techno-optimist narrative

AI development demands a humanist approach that keeps technology aligned with human interests while recognizing its transformative potential for health care and scientific breakthroughs. Responsible AI requires high-quality training data, inclusive design that works across languages and cultures, and ethical frameworks built into systems from the start. Moving forward with AI means embracing its promise while establishing proper safeguards — not abandoning the technology out of fear, but shaping it to serve humanity.

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Limited coverage

This story currently has limited coverage. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our reporting as additional information becomes available.