I think calling things dumb because you don't agree with a conceptual theory is dumb.

Nobody is really assuming it will just be conscious, but there are a myriad of reasons, both human and technology oriented, where understanding consciousness becomes beneficial.

Most people simply feel concerned at the possibility of it occuring because we are developing a literal intelligence. Since we know little about what consciousness truly is it becomes difficult to project or gauge what building an intelligence could lead to. It's a good thing to be aware of going into development, and until we know more about consciousness it may be more ridiculous to assume we wouldn't create a conscious intelligence.

It's kind of like outwardly assuming that fission couldn't result in an explosion because you don't know how fission works.