I think your feelings reflect a lot of folks we are seeing here who are highly suspicious of the companies that they engage with - in this case, obviously Canon. For example, I have grown weary of accusations of the evil Canon Empire locking out 3rd party lenses and saying that Sony doesn't - FYI Sony had exactly the same lag for 3rd party lenses as both Nikon and Canon currently have after they brought out E mount in 2010. I have explained why in detail so many times that I won't bore you or me here with that. The point is they aren't doing that, and just like Microsoft caught flak for being dominant in their market place, so it is with Canon. As far as corporate behaviour goes, I see no significant difference between any of the major camera companies. Similarly there are complaints that an anticipated lens has not arrived promptly and thus Canon are screwing around with them - they aren't. Again, I have gone to pains to express why, although I have agreed about their bad comms in that respect. That said, they want to sell you gear and keep you as a customer, just like any other commercial entity.
Absolutely, Canon is a commercial enterprise, but they are not (apart from arguably their marketing and corporate communications depts at times) inept, and understand that it's easier to keep a customer than to get a new one, especially in such a highly-competitive market. So they will not be likely to do anything so stupid as to shoot themselves in the proverbial foot by charging for a feature that is mission-critical to the basic functionality of their gear. If true, then is about more exotic AI stuff.
With the massive explosion of AI features in every area, it is only natural that camera companies are going to develop AI options for high-end clients who, for whatever reason, feel they need them. They also realize that the vast majority of the market is not, and will not be willing to pay for them - meaning they will either get a different model of camera, or move to a different brand, although I would expect other brands to be doing much the same thing and the rumor mill has not shone a spotlight on those companies. People make a lot of money out of clickbait on You Tube and social media platforms by creating fears about this or that, and create a rush of views with resultant reactions.
So, I am glad you are not, as you say, panicking - although you are apparently taking this seriously enough to be concerned and post on a site that has absolutely no influence on Canon corporate policy and is likely to stoke even more herd panic. As my wise colleague Rick said, if you really want to express concern, go to the site he indicated and post your issue there.
I encourage you to sit back and wait for clear and definitive facts and announcements from Canon itself. BTW, it's interesting that Canon Rumors have very suddenly parted company with their main Canon specialist - I wonder what is going on there: given they have suddenly given a lot more credence to the fellow from Ordinary Film Maker, who is a panic merchant.
cheers, TREVOR
The mark of good photographer is less what they hold in their hand, it's more what they hold in their head;
"All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow", Leo Tolstoy;
"Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase" Percy W. Harris
