I remember a day, long ago now, when computers were going to take everyone’s jobs, even without AI/ML in the picture.

Folks are always scared of the incomprehensible. The real war going on right now is between those who understand AI well enough to make a new one, and those relegated to using whatever scraps they’re fed of the old ones.

Thankfully, you are 100% right - there are good people out there. Good people keep AI on the rails by doing good things for other people.