As a legitimate AI research engineer, I 100% agree with the take of the OP (particularly with the example self-proclaimed "Forbes AI Innovator of the Year"): I'm not salty because I'm jealous... I want more people to learn ML and Data Science, I just don't want them to learn snake oil selling. I'm particularly salty because being a snake oil salesman and a shameless self-promoter seems to be a legitimate path to success. As an academic and a scientist, it bothers me that people listen to advice from such snake oil salesmen.