[galaxyLogic]

> toss out the "AI can be sentient" side

There are no two "sides" making claims about AI. There is one side, making claims such as "AI can be/is/may be sentient".

If somebody makes such claims they have the "burden of proof" because they are the ones making the claim. It's not a moral obligation to prove it. "Burden of proof" simply means if you don't provide a proof, nobody (I would hope) will believe you.

Note the skeptics are not making any counter-claims, they are simply saying if you make such fantastic claims about current AI, please show us the proof, else we rationally cannot trust your judgment.