I don't think they're confused, I think they're approaching it as general AI research due to the uncertainty of how the models might improve in the future.

They even call this out a couple times during the intro:

> This feature was developed primarily as part of our exploratory work on potential AI welfare

> We remain highly uncertain about the potential moral status of Claude and other LLMs, now or in the future

I take good care of my pet rock for the same reason. In case it comes alive I don't want it to bash my skull in.

It’s clever PR and marketing and I bet they have their top minds on it, and judging by the comments here, it’s working!

Is it confusion, or job security?