So I've finally have Synthetics and my own civilization is heading towards the Synthetic Evolution *. As a materialistic empire I could give regular AI citizen rights. But why should I bother?
Yes, there is a risk of AI rebellion, but IMO it is less dangerous than something like the Scourge invasion, and the effects of Slave Processing Plant and Share the Burden edicts can greatly increase their production output, that otherwise I'd have to control by managing egalitarian faction happiness. So it seems that keeping them as slaves is MUCH better solution, or am I missing something?
In other words, is it better to keep AI as slaves or give them "human" rights (assuming that I am not worried about the rebellion).
* which, with the recent patch invalidates the question – once you upload your brain into synthetic body, pre-existing Synthetics join your population on equal rights
Best Answer
Note that enslaving AI is only when they've become synthetics, not droids as they are not sentient enough at that point.
So there are some drawbacks that could occur when granting rights to your AI population. Beyond the rebellion that's possible if you progress the advanced AI tree enough and actually trigger the rebellion. It is possible to grant rights and not have the rebellion trigger. (Reminder that opponents could trigger this rebellion and it has a chance to spread to your or other civilizations).
So, drawbacks for granting AI rights include:
Drawbacks to leaving your AI enslaved:
Notes about AI and granting them rights:
So in short if I was to give you my opinion and those around the internet, giving them rights seems to be tactically a better option, at the risk of rebellions and disapproving empires/pops.