Yeah, I definitely agree with the sentiment. I try to evangelize the fact that Gen AI !== AI because AI as a whole has a ton of amazing benefits at low cost. And it’s way more prevalent than people realize. But I don’t disagree that Gen AI has been appropriated for some of the dumbest shit ever that costs an arm and a leg to create. A* is a good example of what I was referring to in my original comment. Simple, effective, useful. That being said, I’m sure even Gen AI could have some worthwhile benefits if used in better ways, but it sure does seem like we can’t have many nice things as of late (2024) 🙃

Uhhh, AI has been around for DECADES. You are likely conflating AI as a whole with “generative AI” which has been experiencing a boom the last 5+ years. Some examples of AI include pathfinding (think of your GPS telling you how to get somewhere), chess engines (also a form of pathfinding, incidentally), and NPCs in video games making decisions based on a set of rules and states.