Double Standards for Sentience in Animals and Artificial Systems?

The approaches to the recognition and detection of sentience in animals and in artificial systems are compared and found to differ substantially. There is an emphasis in investigations of animal sentience on finding empirical evidence of felt experience, usually of pain, and on structures such as a central nervous system. The standard of evidence for artificial sentience is weaker and tends to rely on the observation of external behaviour and appearance. Some of these differences are due to the contrasting influences of anthropomorphism and deception. Arguments against the likelihood of artificial sentience are presented. There is evidence of double standards, in the form of a lower bar for artificial sentience as compared to animal sentience. To counteract this, it is argued that we need to resist the effects of anthropomorphism and deception on views of artificial systems, and to maintain an awareness of their limitations and lack of sentience.