I did follow the suggestions recommended in a post from 2020 and was able to resolve the issue --which was to go into Bridge Preferences / File Type Associations and re-select Illustrator for certain file types -- but it shouldn't be necessary to update existing preferences whenever the app updates.
Second, in the File Type Association for .eps files and .ai files, Bridge preferences showed "Explorer setting," meaning whatever setting Microsoft Explorer shows for that type of file. I looked at my Explorer settings and I had already indicated the preference for .eps and .ai files to be opened by Adobe Illustrator. Apparently, the Bridge update wasn't / isn't allowing adequate communication with Explorer. I had to go back to Bridge preferences and indicate Adobe Illustrator 2022 to get Bridge to open either .eps or .ai files in Illustrator.