Recent research from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich published in October 2026 reveals that people do not equate human-like artificial intelligence behavior with human-like consciousness. Even when artificial systems and humans act identically under identical circumstances, participants consistently judge artificial intelligence as significantly less conscious than humans, though the distinction narrows when discussing awareness. The authors emphasize that everyday mental state attributions are highly discriminating rather than overly gullible. People readily attribute environment-monitoring capabilities to artificial agents due to a lack of better descriptive vocabulary, but they firmly draw a semantic and conceptual boundary at subjective consciousness. The study underscores the profound impact of language in public discourse, corporate marketing, and journalism. When media outlets and companies attribute intentional plans, moral conscience, or hyped mental states to models using imprecise terminology, they shape public perception in ways that empirical psychological judgments do not automatically support. Researchers recommend adopting more precise and neutral descriptors like awareness instead of sensationalized terms to foster clearer public understanding and prevent unwarranted assumptions regarding artificial agency.
