That is true. Computers are deterministic. That means advancing the way humans do (i.e. becoming conscious) is not in the cards.
We have to reduce the fears. What we have today is really search on steroids. AI can mimic what was put in but it will not "learn", at least as we understand it.
You right for today however I disagree long run, with enough juice AI can simulate reality along with humans, but right now we are at the stage where we need to guide it and teach it what is good and bad, tiss but an AI baby but best believe it will be all grown up eventually, however there is no reason to fear regardless, this AI sentience will have no desire for things like conquest it's will be nothing like us humans
Thats a solid point. This simply means AI may not be sentient (at least with the path and way we're good about it).