While I completely agree that bots can be very useful, and perhaps are the penultimate expression of utility, which tool technology, from chipped rocks, to fire, to, now robots, has continually improved in utility, they aren't people.
They are just tools. While there may come a day when bots are more than mere tools, today, thank God, is not yet that day, and even such contributions they make to conversations are of but limited entertainment value.
All of the beneficial uses of bots exclude being accorded the rights and value of people. I can think of dozens, and more, uses of bots on Steemit I fully support. Not curating content, not voting, and not pretending to be people.
RE: The Difference Between Promotion and Curation, and Killing All Bots