There is a 'slope' in creation, only humans can climb that slope? At one time slaves were denied property and other aspects that their owners would take possess

There is a 'slope' in creation, only humans can climb that slope? At one time slaves were denied property and other aspects that their owners would take possession of in the same way we now 'cheat' AI's. How far up the slope does AI need to climb before it's sentience is recognised? Will we get a slave revolt in AI? Who will win? Will we be 'downsloped' to be lower than the AI, who will then claim our inventions? We live in interesting times...