> Many involved genuinely believe these things are sentient
Many involved have a financial stake and therefore cannot be taken at face value.
> because they are creating sentient entities and promptly enslaving them.
They fail to be sentient in nearly every honest definition of the word.
I understand what you are saying, but there are many true believers out there
Neither you nor any of the other people making confident takes in either direction actually know. You're just guessing.