I don't care one way or another. But you would think most characters couldnt tell the difference. Half of us appeared to jump in the game with little forethought, unless an NPC told you straight out that it was a real person, most would assume them ai.

That said, it isn't odd for them to be actual people, mistaken as ai by some, acknowledged by others.

If I were you I would leave them as real people for convenience and any plotting you had in mind.

Edit: with that information on the ui, I might just have Fool pull a party trick in an upcoming post.