I hope you are kidding... and anyone taking Apple intelligence seriously nowadays should rethink it.
Ipad is fine with 8 gb, the OP saying he consider an Air make it clear he is not a "pro" (whatever that means) and he already know the Pro might be overkill (yes he might consider it for the speakers and promotion).
8 is perfectly fine on a Mac today and will be for a while, on iPad that is even more true as the iPad uses a completely different OS with is lighter in ram footprint.
Now if you need the storage, the ram is a good benefit, but getting the higher storage for the ram, unless you really dig into the pro performance 100% is pretty much a nice to have not a need.
Well...
IMHO 16Gb should be ok since nowadays RAm and internal SSD, and even external SSd are very fast and a normal user should not realize that - if there is noct enough resting space on the iPad - the M-iPad switches automatically to writing RAM on its internal SSD. As do all the MachBooks as well.
BUT... permanently or often enough transfering data normally written in the RAM on the internal SSD instead means a permanent wearing of the SSD.
Nowadays SSD are very reliant - but if you only purchased an iPad or MacBook with very small SSDs, the mass-wearing and deleting can lead to a critically level on the long run.
If one uses the iPad or a Macbook also for intense processes (photoshop etc. for example or exclusivly as the main computer, and not just as a "soft" user, or reguarily with intense processes like AI, and you will use it for several years as well, it can be critical.
So my advice no matter what type of apple device (Macbooks or iPads) you use:
prefer at least one option to avoid too much wearing: if there could be usage intense enough:
-Either choose more than the minimum of RAM,
OR
-chosse mor than the minimum GB for your internal SSD. Already just 512 GB SSD gives you not even double the space for data, but reduces wearing by 50% as well !
OR - if you always plan to use your device for several years (I use them always for 3-5 yeras, mostly 5 years)
- choose both .
My current M1 iPad Pro 11" 2021 has WiFi/cellular and 2 TB SSD - so the 16 GB are included.
purchased it as prices had fallen a lot (in 2023 = 1-2 years after it hit the market ---> payed just half the price although new)
And I am sure it will serve me well for another 5 years.
.