Ontological Shock and Public Reactions to Government Disclosure of Nonhuman Intelligence

To the point

Jennice Vilhauer suggests that government disclosures of nonhuman intelligence would provoke a spectrum of reactions—from curiosity to distress—shaped by beliefs and intolerance of uncertainty, with Tim Lomas describing existential questioning, four main response patterns (concern, positive reactions, skepticism or indifference, and critical engagement) identified in research, and a need for careful, context-rich disclosure and mental health support to help society adapt.