There is a certain school of thought that postulates that consciousness is what it feels to have a neocortex. In evolutionary terms, this is a novel experience

There is a certain school of thought that postulates that consciousness is what it feels to have a neocortex. In evolutionary terms, this is a novel experience relative to a much earlier and simpler control circuit (i.e. amygdala). My bet is the first AI that will achieve consciousness will not have emotions coded in. It may understand human emotions on a descriptive level, but the emotions per se are not required for a functioning AI. Think of a very calm mentor that can see you failing and correcting you before you make a mistake.