> I think it’s legit, actual intelligence, not just “artificial” intelligence. That may be a hot take but it’s just my perception.

You might be redefining words here; there isn't a form of intelligence that isn't actual intelligence. It is all actual intelligence. Artificial in this context means it is something we're creating in a lab. LLMs can't avoid being artificial intelligence. The meaning of "AI" is to artificially create actual intelligence.