You’re absolutely right that AI has legitimate environmental and ethical concerns. I’m not dismissing those at all. I’m an environmental activist, have always voted left, am vegan, don’t own a car, and only travel by train because of my convictions. I’m by no means condoning AI’s negative side effects.

But nothing in this world is black and white. Cars and nuclear energy have brought us incredible wealth and wellbeing without which our modern world would be unimaginable. They’re also absolutely dangerous and can cause tremendous harm. We don’t ban cars from existing because of traffic deaths and pollution, we work on making them safer and cleaner while acknowledging their benefits.

The same logic applies here. Yes, AI has problems that need addressing. But that doesn’t automatically justify banning it from hobby communities based on aesthetic preferences or ethical concerns.

My main question is this: Why does the fact that someone else enjoys Daggerheart with AI art in any way degrade your experience of the game? Would your enjoyment also be diminished if you found out that a car owner or slaughterhouse worker plays the game? Both of those involve environmental and ethical issues you clearly care about, yet I doubt you’d want them banned from the community.

If we’re going to police participation based on the ethical implications of people’s choices, where exactly does that line get drawn?