Thanks for the feedback, Kireek! Just got registered here, so I can now post. This is not only a reply for you, but my audience at large.
I definitely hear your concerns regarding AI Upscaling VS. recreating a zone from scratch. I've been wrestling with this for some time now, as there are pros and cons to doing it either way.
I'm personally a fan of preserving SE's artwork, and it can often be VERY difficult doing things from scratch. Mostly because I have very little time on my hands, nor do I have a decent drawing tablet for some of the more intricate artwork. I've found that using the latest AI models, upscaling actually does an impressive job. I'll link some examples below.
On the other hand, I also like the more realistic look I strive for when creating textures from scratch or sourcing from photos. The end results are truly rewarding and I absolutely love the work itself. However, again time is a serious factor for me and I really wish I could do this stuff full time. If I could get paid for it, I'd quit my job tomorrow and start working 8+ hours a day every day on this project. Unfortunately I'm not convinced there's enough of a player base to replace full-time employment at this point; I have to consider a mortgage, kids, bills and education savings, so it's a big risk for me.
I may start a poll at some point to see how many people would simply want a good quality upscale (with some select, original textures like foliage) VS. how many would rather stick to a slower-release schedule for original textures. My biggest concern is alienating a large portion of people who have come to appreciate my work, that would be the last thing I want.
Here's a few examples of some recent upscaling tests I am experimenting with for Konschtat Highlands. I also do some post-processing in Photoshop as well to get things just right. The zone is actually about 90% complete at this point.
Right-click view image to see the grass at full size.