> The project or repo's star count _was_ a first filter in the past, a

I agree that it has been a first filter, but should it ever have been? A star only says that someone had a passing interest in a project. Not significantly different from a 'like' on a social media post.

> The project or repo's star count _was_ a first filter in the past, and we must keep in mind it no longer is.

Id suggest the first question to ask is "if the project is an AI project or not?" If it is, dont pay attention to the stars - if it's not, use the stars as a first filter. That's the way I analyse projects on Github now.