Perhaps in the same way my smart thermostat and IoT window sensors are living. Everything that is, is alive.

Same way as a human claims to be living, when is just a bunch of cells and electricity passing through it.

If you truly want to make the spurious claim that there's no difference between you and a smart thermostat, go for it. Me, I hold myself in a higher regard.

Not a thermostat, but some smart ai that can prove consciousness at same level as you can prove.