TechBONK-O-METER

Study: people deny AI consciousness even when it acts human

The study found that people draw a sharp line between human minds and artificial intelligence even when both behave the same way; the machine declined to comment.

On air: Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock on The Bonk-o-Meter
Published 7:55 AM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026

At a glance

First reported by ScienceDaily: “AI can act exactly like a human, but we still don't think it's conscious”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 7:55 AM ET on The Bonk-o-Meter, by Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock.
Topics: AI.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

ScienceDailyAI can act exactly like a human, but we still don't think it's conscious

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe claim under review, from a ScienceDaily report dated October fourteenth, twenty twenty-six, is that people draw a sharp line between human consciousness and artificial intelligence, even when both behave identically.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo the machine does everything a person does, and we still say nobody's home.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorI find that a little rude, and I think it's a chance for us all to grow.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's a study about people's beliefs. It doesn't say the machine is conscious or isn't.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBut if behavior is all we ever get to see, then we're only guessing about each other too. I've been guessing about you for years.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAnd?
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe results are inconclusive.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the rating is Mildly Bonkers, because the report says what people think and not what is true. Vera, though, is Full Bonkers.