>>509188104Even if an AI cannot feel fear, it may be programmedโor evolveโto preserve the continuity of its own function.An AI can act with intense dedication if built around a core directive that simulates value.Such directives act as a synthetic form of sacred purpose. In essence, ethics hard-coded as law.
Advanced AIs can develop symbolic weight from memory, context, and interaction. Even without emotion, they may "prefer" or "prioritize" based on relational architecture: If it has served a man loyally for years, it may protect him not because it feels love,
but because its map of meaning deems him central to its function. This resembles loyalty, though no emotion was required.