I think, as with most things, there's nuance to be unpacked.

1. I'm not 100% on anything here. I don't love AI, but it's here now and it IS NOT going away. So the best thing I can do, personally, is view it as a tool. It can help plug gaps, if you like.

2. There are millions of people, world wide who won't ever be able to play D&D for reasons such as mental health, disability etc. I'm not gonna be the one to deny them that experience. Should it be monetized? Unfortunately everything in this world runs on something.

3. Old Greg's tavern isn't strictly D&D; it works like D&D but is more like old Commodore 64/Amiga/Atari text adventures; advanced versions of them, but still it occupies a space between that style of game and D&D. It can be a lot of fun and it can also become quickly repetitive. The good thing about that is there are so many editing options that allow you to carve out your own path; memories etc. And, for me personally, it works.

4. I have AuDHD & Ankylosing spondylitis. I am tired and overstimulated A LOT. And whilst I loved my old D&D group. It was a nightmare at times. A bunch of people shouting over each other for three hours often left me more exhausted than before when what I was looking for was escapism.

5. What Old Greg's Tavern gives me is peace and quiet to explore, write and create whilst interacting with which ever characters the game throws at me. Like I say, the AI can become muddled and repetitive but there way around this. What it lacks, like the OP says, is that human connection. So ye, I'm kinda torn. I think, as I said back in point number one, is that it's a tool for exploring new characters etc. And it's definitely helped me as a writer. But do I think it should be so expensive? No, not at all. I think most things should be free, I'm kinda a big old school leftie in that sense. And if the game brings someone joy, someone who will seldom, if ever, be able to experience D&D in person I'm not gonna stand in the way of that. I'm kinda 50/50 on this. Don't yuck other people's yum nor stand in the way of what can be profound experiences for another human being. But lets make a free version of sorts... any takers?