If they were torturing an actual organic living being ( plant and/or animal ) or something like a doll or stuffed animal, I would be so much more concerned. "Torturing" ( a term in which I believe should only ever be applied to organic living beings and not inorganic "lifeforms" ) a genAI model holds like zero weight because that's not ever going to be a sentient being and therefore all it is is simulations of emotion.

The people saying it's cruel need serious therapy for their delusions, IMO.