India, Sept. 18 -- As AI systems grow more human-like, the question of whether they can be conscious is becoming unavoidable and could become as divisive as abortion or climate change.

Surveys already show sharp public disagreement, while experts clash over whether consciousness requires biology.

The stakes are moral, legal and political, with risks on both overprotecting and neglecting potential AI minds.

The debate about AI consciousness is growing, in academic articles, newspaper opinion pieces, and even among AI bots themselves. I doubt this is a passing wave of interest.

As AI systems become more capable and human-like, and more involved in our lives, the question will become harder to avoid. Many people may come to regard AI bot...