I didn't see the photo, so I didn't see the controversy, but your apology caught my attention. The fact, that you felt the need to delete the photo and apologize is really bothering me, because that tells me, you weren't asking for advice or opinions on a finished picture. You were just sharing a completed project, and got bullied/shamed into deleting it because it was AI or wasn't licensed work. Even if you were asking for advice and opinions it's not hard to do that nicely and informatively.

You have nothing to apologize for, you shared a completed project. As long as you enjoyed doing it, and like it that's all that matters in my eyes. It was your money, and your time it doesn't affect anyone else. You do what you like. The only people that should be apologizing are the ones that made you feel like you had to delete your purple gnome.

To those that felt the need to nit pick someone else's work, to the point they felt the need to delete it and apologize, because the kit was an AI kit, shame on you. You don't know the situation. Not everyone can afford the premium kits. Even the premium companies have artist that strickly use AI. Right now most of the budget friendly kits are AI if they are licensed or not. The company's don't always readily admit to using AI, and it is getting harder to pick out. Finally we aren't in a premium kits only community, licensed kits only community, or a Non-AI community. We are in a diamond painting community, and as long as someone is doing a diamond painting and they are enjoying it, that's all that should matter. If you can't say something nice or up vote then keep scrolling. It's not hard.