If we understand how a system “emulates” consciousness then we declare it an emulation. If we don’t quite understand how a system exhibits consciousness then we can say it might be conscious.

Basically, we need to leave room for the universal answer (God) to fit into the definition.

If we ever scientifically figure out how consciousness arises in our brains, I think we will have a bunch of very depressed people on our hands. If the truth isn’t met with flat out hostile denial. I fear any answer that doesn’t leave room for God will be rejected.

Since we have the source code to AI, and thus a Godless understanding of how it works, AI will NEVER be deemed “conscious”.