The world would generally make more sense to me if instead of saying "I'm using an AI to do this", people would just say "I'm using computer software to do this."

The world won't be so lucky.

General-purpose machines? Yes. That's what a computer is.
I input data, it goes through software, and a brand new output comes out. Generative! My Sinclair ZX81 did this. Using BASIC.

Maybe there's is something else this new definition of AI adds?

* The amount of energy and data needed to build the software
* Unpredictability of what the output will be.
* The unexaplainability of the software.

So what we are using is big-data, energy-intensive, unpredictable, unexplainable computer software. Also known as AI.

Sorry, just thinking out loud.