I think sapience would be a better word than sentience. But with regards to the process talking to the crew I think the book explicitly said that it didn't have

I think sapience would be a better word than sentience. But with regards to the process talking to the crew I think the book explicitly said that it didn't have any sort of comprehension of what it was saying. I belive the Chinese room was an attack from rorschach similar to the perceived attack from humanity. basically it wanted to waste their time and energy on something pointless.