I agree with the above critics that relate this article's logic to that of other non-scientific systems.

However, where this article has value to me is as a proof of concept that machines can be self-aware, sentient, and sapient (SASS).

If conceptually we are just programs in a computer and we are SASS, then other sub-programs in the system could also be SASS.

In a strict interpretation, computer programs could only be SASS within their own "universe," i.e. their own computer programs. However, given different input (i.e. knowledge of our world/program) the sub programs could become SASS.

In other words, SASS is not a solely human trait, and there is nothing "special" about our condition (i.e. the old standby of "the SOUL!") that prevents other systems from becoming SASS. We are all just information processing units.