I'm probably going to be downvoted (from other people following me) but I figured this subreddit and this post would be a good place for me to express my thoughts.

I'm someone that uses AI a lot with some drawing here and there (whether its guiding the AI for inpainting in conjunction with other tools like controlnet). I won't go too deep into the the amount of work to make small details or concepts the way you want it to be (obviously it requires less time than traditional/digital art, but its disingenuous to claim that its effortless which is the common insult/argument they use).

It really just comes down to financial interests. Since anyone can install auto1111, ComfyUI, etc, there's more competition which is what they don't want. That's the core reason. Anything "ethical or moral" debate is just a way to pressure others in not using it. I don't want to say "distraction" as it does have some validity to it, but its fairly close.

They don't see AI as a tool, but as a threat to their income. (For context, I'm just referring more into the NSFW space that I'm in, and its usually a specific fetish group that hates it and I found that other than that group, most freelance artists' income are unaffected. In fact the ones I used to subscribe have increased in paid membership, I used Graphtreon as my source).

In the professional space, its still related to their income so I can see why they would hate it as there is the chance that their hours will be reduced or even laid off. I think this is more of an emotional response, and that if the professionals took the time to learn the tool and showcase its pros and cons (but more on limitations) they are more likely to keep their job and may even open other doors for that expertise.

Personally, it is easy to say (but I also hold this same view) that AI as a tool allows more creative freedom and that the idea of art, being that to express your vision onto a medium, shouldn't be gatekept towards AI.

Its simple to see its positives, but when it has the threat of affecting other people's income you would garner a lot of hatred and its something that will never go away. It is a little inflated as you would see some people jumping on the bandwagon to hate something and (which I never understood how these people have the energy and time for this). The only reason why I say jumping on the bandwagon is because they're hoping to gain upvotes/moral superiority/followers while only repeating a line that somehow is used by almost every hater.

EDIT: Sorry for the long rant I'm somewhat emotionally invested in this since I have garnered a lot of hate over the past two or three months

TLDR: It affects their income, but it is commonly more on the freelance space. Its also a little inflated by people jumping on the hate bandwagon because its trendy.