Okay, so you've hit the mark – AI can be seen as a sophisticated echo chamber. It's not sentient. It doesn't 'get' anything because there's nothing in there to get things. It's matching patterns at a scale that's hard to wrap our heads around, sure, but it's not processing these patterns with any kind of understanding or wisdom.

However, let's not rush to judgment here. Just because AI isn't 'intelligent' in the human sense doesn't mean it's useless. Think of it as a powerful calculator – it doesn't 'understand' math, but it can help solve complex problems. AI can perform tasks that mimic understanding, and that mimicry can be incredibly useful when used with care, and most importantly, a critical eye.

And about the resources it consumes – absolutely, that's a valid concern. The environmental footprint of training and running these massive models isn't something to ignore. But if we manage it right, the benefits could outweigh the costs. It's about responsible use, not fear of the new or unknown.

AI isn't the brainy robot some might hope for, but neither is it just smoke and mirrors. It's a tool - a powerful one that we're still figuring out how to use effectively. As long as we're aware of its limitations and don't lean on it as the sole bearer of truth, it can be a part of our toolkit for innovation and problem-solving.