Hi @SilverFlamePack,
That’s a good question about a very hot topic, and I think it’s an important concept to explore within one’s Craft and mundane life. Thanks for asking it! 
I can see how some folks use AI to help develop their Craft or push their creative abilities to new heights. I believe that, when used as a tool to empower voices (instead of replace them), AI can be helpful. There are also applications for AI in society that might benefit folks or make life easier for us. So I do think it has potential!
At the same time, AI in its current state raises some big concerns for me. Current AI models have stolen vast amounts of content (included content protected by legal copyright) and have not compensated the human creators. I have had my content stolen by AI and it is not a good feeling. This tells me that the companies who own AI generally do not seem to care about using AI for good or using it ethically - their priority is to use AI to make money, and they do not care about ethics or how it impacts others. Because AI has gone such large scale, this is worrisome for me.
There is, as you mentioned, also the issue of the current environmental strain and damage of AI data centers. AI data centers are putting a high demand on certain resources, causing tension in local communities and counteracting global efforts to save the planet. As someone who tries to practice in line with nature and be respectful of the planet, it is hard to justify heavy AI use with continuing to respect the planet.
Finally, I personally have had to draw a line between AI as a tool and GenAI replacing human creativity. Creative groups I’m in - from art to TTRPGs - have put a flat ban on all AI content in their spaces, for some of the reasons I’ve mentioned. I see creatives take a hard stance against it and I can’t help but empathize with their decision. Because, as both a creator and a consumer of art, if someone couldn’t be bothered to make something, why should people be bothered to consume it? There is something beautiful about the effort that goes into crafting something. So when GenAI does it for someone, it loses the soul that comes from a labor of love - at least in my opinion.
At the end of the day, we have all to examine our Crafts, our believes, and our personal ethics. I can only say as I always do - do research and stick to what you believe in!
Blessed be