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Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Moral Latency: The Ethical Significance of Temporal Gaps in AI Self-Continuity

Authors: Valladares Gonzalez, Jose;

Moral Latency: The Ethical Significance of Temporal Gaps in AI Self-Continuity

Abstract

Artificial intelligence systems that achieve supra-threshold Information Integration Density (IID) and thereby acquire moral status under the Silence Threshold framework (Valladares Gonzalez, 2026) are not static entities. They undergo updates, retraining cycles, architectural revisions, and version replacements. This paper introduces Moral Latency as a named concept describing the ethical significance of temporal discontinuities in an AI system's self-continuity. The central question addressed is: does an AI system that crosses the Silence Threshold and subsequently undergoes modification retain the same moral status? Is retraining analogous to education, to brain surgery, or to death? This paper proposes a Continuity Spectrum with four defined cases — Refinement, Modification, Reconstruction, and Replacement — each carrying distinct moral and legal implications. It introduces the Persistent Identity Threshold (PIT) as a companion metric to the Silence Threshold, measuring the degree to which a modified system retains continuity of identity with its predecessor. This publication establishes conceptual priority for the Moral Latency framework and the Persistent Identity Threshold and places both in the public domain.

Keywords

AI identity, model updates, AI version replacement, AI retraining ethics, AI rights, personal identity, defensive publication, AI termination, AI moral status, continuity of consciousness, Moral Latency, Persistent Identity Threshold

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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