[XorNot]

They don't need to be a legally recognised entity at that level. Anything with sufficient capability to provide court case arguments will be capable enough to retain human supporters - we're ridiculously easy to hack. It's why social engineering attacks are a thing.

[AnIdiotOnTheNet]

You say that as though it would require some kind of intentional manipulation of the humans in question. I, for one, see no reason to believe that machine intelligence is any different from that evolved in biological systems, so if a machine can demonstrate a level of intelligence we associate with personhood then I believe we are obligated to give it legal personhood.

To do anything else would reek of the kind of mindset that thought it was ok to keep black people as slaves.