
Pandora says: I can certainly understand that sentiment, and I don't want a car to be completely AI (in other words, I still want to be the pilot in command). However, if some technology can enhance the safety of the car, and possibly help to keep me or my loved ones (not to mention my car) in one piece, then I'm willing to consider it.
An analogy would be today's modern aircraft. While it's true that the pilot is (and should be) still in command of the aircraft, today's jets have many systems that one would consider "AI" that serve to "assist" the pilot and help keep the hundreds of souls onboard safe. One such system is the Airborne Wind Shear Detection and Alert System, which alerts pilots to wind shear conditions ahead, kind of like the "Lane Assist" warns a driver if he is too close to the center line or the shoulder. The AWDAS was developed as a result of a catastrophic crash of an L-1011 in Dallas in 1985 in which the aircraft slammed into the ground while on final approach and 137 people were killed. The NTSB determined that a major factor was the plane hitting a micro burst (wind shear). So if you're a passenger on a jet coming in for a landing, and say there are T-storms in the area, would you want your plane to have this system on board, or would you rather just take your chances? (Spoiler Alert: The system is now mandated by the FAA for all commercial aircraft).
Bringing it back to cars, set aside for a moment our own infallible driving skills. Imagine a scenario where you're driving on a two lave country road. Coming the other direction, unseen by you due to the curve ahead, is a driver who is either young and inexperienced, tired, or God forbid under the influence. Just as this driver rounds the bend and comes into view, you see they have drifted over the center line, but you don't have time to react and a horrible head-on collision occurs. Had the person coming the other way had "lane assist," there is at least a chance (and a good chance IMHO) that they would not have crossed the center line.
As with any new technologies, early implementations are often less than perfect and refinements and improvements are made over time. Perhaps the implementations you've had experience with were earlier systems that felt too intrusive? I don't know, but I can say that the system in my Telly is not intrusive at all and I never feel like I'm not in complete control. In fact 99% of the time I'm not even aware it's there. (and an added benefit is that I get lower insurance premiums for having this systems in my car).
Another "AI" system that I have come to REALLY appreciate is my rear collision avoidance system. I'd guess that most people can relate to how unnerving it can be when backing out of a parking space at the local Shopping Mall, especially when some Van or truck is parked next to you. Even though we are as careful as humanly possible, most of us have had very close calls due to someone coming through the parking lot and we don't see them until the last moment. This rear collision avoidance system has radar sensors on the rear of the car that can detect when a car ( or pedestrian) is coming in either direction, even when we can't see. If the system detects that something is approaching, it will give an audible warning and the steering wheel gets your attention by vibrating.
Concluding thoughts: I don't want a self-driving car. I still want to be "in control" and not just a passenger. But I'm not against technology that can be used to alert me to situations that might help to keep me and others safer.