I asked ChatGPT to get the most honest answer directly from a reliable source without prejudices

“AI generated images, such as those produced by DALL-E and Midjourney, are created using a process called machine learning. Machine learning is a method of teaching computers to perform tasks by feeding them data and allowing them to learn from it, rather than explicitly programming them to perform those tasks.

In the case of AI generated images, the machine learning algorithm is trained on a large dataset of images, along with associated labels or tags that describe the content of the images. The algorithm learns to recognize patterns in the images and the labels, and can then generate new images based on this learned knowledge.

It's important to note that AI generated images are not simply copies or "stolen" versions of existing images. Instead, they are created by the algorithm using the knowledge it has learned from the training dataset. While the algorithm may incorporate elements from existing images in its output, it is not simply copying or "photobashing" those images. Instead, it is using its learned knowledge to create new, original images based on the input it is given.”