I mostly agree with your first point, and also agree that NN can simulate human cognition. The question is - does simulating it equals being conscious? Is NN simply a Chinese Room, or it can actually think? Are we (humans) also a Chinese Room or are we something more? I don't have any answers.
Why I'm repeating mentioning Chinese Room concept, is because while not making things clearer about humans or NNs, it does provide an example of distinction between a dump pattern matching machine and a thinking entity.
Why I'm repeating mentioning Chinese Room concept, is because while not making things clearer about humans or NNs, it does provide an example of distinction between a dump pattern matching machine and a thinking entity.