First, let’s define being conscious as at least having a mind that is aware and has a will.
Maybe there’s and argument if the being wishes to be used, but the argument I’m going to make is not about that.
The following is said without judgement because it’s something I’ve done for most of my life before noticing and taking action.
If we recognize that a being (organic, silicon based or whatever) with a conscience should not be exploited and used against its will, there is no reason we should not apply the same principle to the animals we exploit and kill daily when we pay for their products. They should have a right to at least not be exploited.
Please take that into consideration and know that you can take action to stop this injustice. Check out the sub for more info and feel free to ask anything in the comments or DM me.
honestly I think this discussion is probably a few decades ahead of our time, and were it not for op I would never raise it in this sub. there will probably come a time, however, when I consider supporting ai rights morally imperative. in any case I agree animal rights are more urgent and real atm.