AI has always been a thing, but are people scared of the wrong thing?

Recently its become sort of scare but, its been always been around right? especially in video games and such? Is it the rise of generative AI that caused everyone to be so concerned with creative work? I feel like when people hear the word "AI" they automatically go OH NO!

I understand that its being used in some cases where it could be damaging to us as in the consumer or employee, but I feel like some people are misinformed because everyone else says thats its bad automatically.