Ethics of Sentient AI: A Computational and Philosophical Analysis

The question of whether artificial intelligence can become sentient is no longer just a philosophical thought experiment. As AI systems grow more complex, adaptive, and autonomous, the assumption that they are only tools becomes harder to rely on without question. Existing research on artificial consciousness, especially work linked to Integrated Information Theory and Global Workspace Theory, suggests that some computational features may be relevant to consciousness-like processing.[1] At the same time, most AI ethics frameworks still focus on fairness, accountability, and transparency while leaving aside the moral implications of possible machine sentience.[2] This paper addressed that gap by bringing together philosophical theory, technical foundations, and ethical analysis. It also proposed the Sentience Risk Assessment Model, or SRAM, as a structured way to evaluate advanced AI systems under uncertainty. Instead of trying to prove consciousness directly, SRAM estimates sentience-related risk by combining information integration, feedback and recursion, and adaptive learning capacity. These technical indicators are then connected to ethical thresholds, which makes the model more useful for governance and design. The main contribution of this work is not a final answer to whether AI can truly be sentient. That question remains open. The contribution is a practical framework for dealing with that uncertainty responsibly. The broader argument of this paper is simple. Ethical concern should not begin only after absolute proof appears. In a field moving this quickly, waiting for certainty may mean reacting too late.

[1] Ethics of AI: A Systematic Literature Review https://arxiv.org/abs/2109.07906 [2] Consciousness in Artificial Intelligence: Insights from the Science of Consciousness https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.08708 [3] Algorithmic Sentience: Ethical and Technological Challenges in AI Consciousness https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392029278_Algorithmic_Sentience_Ethical_and_Technological_Challenges_in_AI_Consciousness [4] Phenomenology of Machine: Exploring AI Consciousness through Active Inference https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.00033 [5] Artificial Consciousness: The Missing Ingredient for Ethical AI? https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frobt.2023.1270460/full [6] A Human-Centric Framework for AI Consciousness Ethics https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.02544 [7] Exploring the Philosophy of Consciousness in AI: An Ethical Appraisal https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijrias/view/exploring-the-philosophy-of-consciousness-in-ai-an-ethical-appraisal