This doesn't really help the symbol grounding problem: it uses pre-human-sorted data (who use their own ability to match symbols and meaning) to form its asso

This doesn't really help the symbol grounding problem: it uses pre-human-sorted data (who use their own ability to match symbols and meaning) to form its associative network. So, it's using human consciousness as part of the input to form its own consciousness. You could argue that humans use other humans' consciousness to develop its own, but now you have the infinite regress which seem to be the fate of all symbol grounding contemplations. Surely there has to be a starting point, some "axioms" you initially accept about the world to start the process. Maybe these are embedded in our DNA and have evolved to be a practical start (eg: sharp sensory input from nerves on your skin is automatically linked with pain, which we automatically avoid).