My bad, I suppose I should have gone further down my line of reasoning. I am well aware of the differences between what generative AI does and what human artists do.

Do you think artists should be allowed to categorize other artists work so that when they want inspiration on how to draw mouths, they can quickly look through and see a bunch of other artists mouths to get inspiration from? (So they can then draw their own mouths)

Should they be allowed to use AI to help them do this identification and categorization?

Should they be allowed to use AI to create new mouths based on the collection they have amassed so they can get inspiration from these never before seen mouths?

Does it make any difference if they have created this identifying/categorizing AI themself?

If they take this combination of AI that they created and these images that they collected, and the resulting AI inspiration mouths that they have produced, should they be allowed to alter them to suit the unique face that they are making? Or is the fact that they combined what people currently call "AI" with other people's work enough to make it against the rules?

What if they made the AI and never plugged in anyone else's mouths, should they be allowed to use that AI to make their work?

Where exactly is the line at that people should not be allowed to cross?

I know there are lots of questions here, I totally understand if you don't have time or answers for them. I'm just kind of laying out why I see not nearly as clear of a line as some people/headlines would like to have everyone think there is.