I don't agree that "burn it all down" is the right solution, especially if we're hypothetically in agreement that the end goal is the maximization of happiness for the highest number of people. Going through that transition will be worse than what we have now for most, and there's no guarantee that a more equitable society is built in the ashes of this one.
I think you are likely right, but it's more general than just about training costs. The term "AI" carries a ton of baggage, both good and bad.
To some extent, I think we also keep pushing back the boundary of what we consider "intelligence" as we learn more and better understand what we're creating. I wonder if every future tech generation will continue this cycle until/unless humanity actually does create a general artificial intelligence--every iteration getting slightly closer but still falling short of "true" AI, then being looked at as a disappointment and not worthy of the term anymore. Rinse and repeat.
I don't agree that "burn it all down" is the right solution, especially if we're hypothetically in agreement that the end goal is the maximization of happiness for the highest number of people. Going through that transition will be worse than what we have now for most, and there's no guarantee that a more equitable society is built in the ashes of this one.