Manual vs Local AI Editing Software? What's your opinions/recommendations?

I took a break from photography and was previously an Adobe CC user. I don't want to give money to Adobe anymore and I'd like to get accustomed to new software using older photos before I start shooting again.

Like myself, If you're someone who is against the AI boom w/ data centers and generative AI slop (won't be debating this), how do you view localized AI editing software? I've seen the argument that even if you're not paying for cloud AI, you're still giving the companies money to invest in it. Valid.

Is there a healthy middle ground between the two types of editing software? Is local AI software seen as ruining photography in the way film purists hate(d) digital photography?

I just want something decent with a good UI that won't feed my images to the AI slop machine. I mainly do portrait photography but want to work on a non-portrait project as well.