There's value in the underlying theory of machine learning. ML models are exceptionally good at sifting enormous amounts of data so long as you're cross checking outputs - which sounds like doing the work anyway, except now you know what to look for and check. Astronomers have been using this shit for years to sift radio telescope data, and particle physicists use it to sift collider results.

Is there danger? Absolutely. But saying it's worthless is like saying the theory of relativity is worthless because it created nukes. Throwing the underlying theory out because people are using it to do shitty things is going to rapidly shrink your world, because a LOT of science has been used to do a LOT of harm, yet we still use it.