I'm critical about a few points of LLMs (such as data stealing and licencing issues, big companies controlling online only and destroying environments and buy all RAM and so on), but not entirely against it.

Just wanted to say that the current LLMs we have are the closest thing to an Ai we ever had. Now what does the word artificial intelligence mean? And that's it, the word is something different based on definition and context. There is no single correct definition for this word. We also used the term Ai way long before LLMs. And they were Ai too, let alone we use it still. In example in videogames we have Ai in form of NPCs or enemies. That is a completely different definition and technology of the word, but its the same word as used by LLMs.

Maybe you are thinking off general AGI? Because that is a whole lot of different conversation, AGI and self awareness. If you think in those terms, sure, then its laughable to talk about Ai being somewhat intelligent. I personally see LLMs as auto complete with very complex algorithms and huge databases behind it. And that is one form of Ai.