Solution in Search of a Problem

I'd like to propose the idea that Artificial Intelligence is a solution in search of a problem.

For years, AI pundits have promised the sun, the moon and the stars.  For mankind, it can find a cure for cancer.  For business, it can automate repetitive tasks currently performed by people.  Spoiler alert:  cancer is still a thing, and each automated job is an unemployed person.

To make matters worse, I have yet to see a definitive return on investment.  Yes, the economy is going gangbusters on this, but I can't help but think back to the dot com bubble.  Here's what I actually see...

People losing their jobs.  There was a socially contracted promise that these folks would be retrained, but what's happened is that low-skill workers have been unable to learn high-skill jobs.

Business has had a difficult time quantifying how AI has improved the bottom line. 

Computer costs are going through the roof due to the insatiable demand for hardware.  Data centers have deep pockets, leaving consumers and small businesses paying a higher cost for no additional benefit.

Data centers promise extra jobs, but in reality that's just construction.  Once the data center is up and running, the additional jobs are a pittance.

Data centers drive up the cost for utilities, such as electricity and water.

Data centers cause huge headaches for area residents due to noise, light, etc.

And the craziest part about this is that we're building a huge infrastructure for an unknown payoff.

Please prove me wrong.