Evidence for LLM 'functional emotions' can't yet separate valence from role-play
Recent studies claim LLMs have functional valenced states, internal states that play the role of pleasure or pain without needing to be felt. This paper reviews that evidence and argues that key aspects of valence remain untested in LLMs. It says current experiments do not distinguish valence from preferences, value judgments or role-play, and sketches new experiments aimed at valence itself.