"look these things are intelligent; they solve novel problems, have an incredible breadths of knowledge, can pass the turing test and in some fields perform to the standards of professionals."
"They can't be intelligent as they lack consciousness"
"Ok then how does intelligence require consciousness? What is consciousness? How could one prove that someone or something has consciousness?"
"That's on you."
No, no it is not. If consciousness is a prerequisite for intelligence or moral patience, then it is on the proponents to define exactly what that is and how to prove it.
On matters of moral patience especially, we should err on the side of caution, because the cost of getting it wrong is catastrophic.
"They can't be intelligent as they lack consciousness"
"Ok then how does intelligence require consciousness? What is consciousness? How could one prove that someone or something has consciousness?"
"That's on you."
No, no it is not. If consciousness is a prerequisite for intelligence or moral patience, then it is on the proponents to define exactly what that is and how to prove it.
On matters of moral patience especially, we should err on the side of caution, because the cost of getting it wrong is catastrophic.