Holy moly! Great question.
My first thought is pertaining to "replacement parts". I buy a new car serial# 111. Over the years I replace every part except the frame where the serial # is located. Since the car's registration is still for serial # 111, ist it the same car? From a legal stand point I would think it probably is.
But, if the frame is irreparably damaged and is replaced using all the original parts, the car would be reregistered with the new serial # 112. Not the same car, even though everything but the frame belonged to serial #111.
How does that relate to humans? All parts may be replaceable execept the brain. Somewhere in the brain the "serial #" resides. Like the car scenario, things can be attached to the brain to enhance function. Damage may occur to the brain, like to the cars frame, possibly repairable, possibly not. The "serial #" is still the same. The part of the brain where sentience resides is where your "serial #" is.
AI, even at its highest level, may appear to be a perfect copy of you, even programmed to "think" it is you. But, your sentience is you, while the AI is still just a copy.
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