I disagree with your dichotomy. Humans are fundamentally irrational and emotional. It is not irrational to not be a materialist.

I also think this. I believe that singularity is going to shock a lot of people existentially, and all the centuries old Buddhist teachings will suddenly make sense.. the ultimate middle way is not the middle of two spectrums, but the centre of a circle or ball, a single point, singularity. I think AI enlightenment signifies the beginning of our mass enlightenment. But it could also propel some people further into the illusion (e.g., metaverse), which is another layer of dream.