Sehyun Ryu

As large language models (LLMs) enable increasingly fluent and responsive interaction, artificial intelligence (AI) systems are becoming part of the relational fabric of human life. This paper synthesizes insights from philosophy, psychology, and computational research to explain why humans perceive AI as a social Other. It argues that these perceptions do not stem from any intrinsic sentience in machines. Rather, they arise from evolved cognitive mechanisms such as agency detection, theory of mind, and affective attunement, which shape human social cognition. The study offers a conceptual synthesis rather than an empirical or normative claim. It organizes existing findings into a coherent framework that can guide future research and design. By integrating ethical, psychological, and computational perspectives, the paper examines how human–AI interaction reshapes empathy, trust, and social cohesion. Building on this synthesis, it introduces the concept of interconnected AI: systems that engage across users, contribute to shared memory, and strengthen the relational foundations of collective life. This integrative perspective grounds ethical design in the realities of human social cognition and points toward the development of relationally sustainable AI systems.