It’s a word, it is linguistic by nature. I would grant that it is not as simple of a concept as being “alive”, but, like all words it does have a set definition and meaning.

Your definition is basically correct, but I disagree that possesion of sentience is more than a yes or no.

There are cases where it is unclear if a life posses sentience, like a jellyfish for example. The great majority of animals do have sentience, I don’t understand why the belief that animals don’t experience emotions and sensations is so prevalent while being so easily disproven. Perhaps it makes them easier to eat.

You are 1000% correct that shitty slop-generation software cannot be sentient tho.