When a Google software engineer claimed that a piece of chatbot software was sentient, it was a major story. Just like your dog is sentient, could it be that some computer code – a chatbot system called LaMDA – has feelings?But was it truly sentient, or was it pulling algorithmic wool over our eyes? Were we simply being fooled by high-tech mimicry? In this, our regular look at critical thinking: Skeptic Check, we ask what is the evidence that this system is sentient. Also, even A.I. that’s not sentient can still be powerful – and that has serious implications. Guests:Blake Lemoine – Software engineer and artificial intelligence researcherOren Etzioni – Emeritus Professor at the University of Washington, and former CEO at the Allen Institute for AI in SeattleMark Coeckelbergh – Professor of Philosophy of Media and Technology, University of Vienna, and author of “Robot Ethics“Featuring music by Dewey Dellay and Jun Miyake*Free 1-Year NordVPN Subscription*Click the link and enter the code to activate your free account! https://nordvpn.com/order/activate/ CODE: nord12mm5eytjnaAL2GJZSgLBig Picture Science is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact sales@advertisecast.com to inquire about advertising on Big Picture Science.You can get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices