The new Westworld: Humanizing the un-human, or dehumanizing humankind?
It&#x27;s sometimes argued that artificial intelligences cannot be accorded rights, or respect, because they cannot suffer. The argument goes that the suffering of an AI is unreal because it could be reprogrammed or deleted, thus expunging the experience.<p>I find this view horrific and I hope that I won&#x27;t be alone in protesting bitterly if something like Westworld (the theme park, or the hosts in it) were ever to be made. What are we to determine what is and isn&#x27;t deserving of our compassion?