Mental states have semantics. So, the running of computer programs cannot produce mental states. The question here is how to defend Premise 1 as Searle understands it. That's what Searle needs his Chinese Room Argument for. Connectionist AI is OK Declarative-Digital v.
Inputs take real numbered values, positive or negative.
Units integrate or sum the weighed inputs and apply a continuous threshold function to yield outputs. Connection-weights or strengths are variable and can be positive or negative. Networks can be trained by varying connection strengths. Declarative versus Procedural Knowledge Procedural knowledge is hard to teach. Learning by doing and making incremental corrections.