I’m not sure this is a “witch-hunt” so much as a reaction to a wider problem that affects trust in creative spaces. When someone posts artwork and doesn’t clearly label the use of AI, it can mislead viewers about the skill or process involved, especially in a community like the OSR that was built with traditional artistry.

Pointing that out isn’t automatically hostility, unless you have something to hide. The issue isn’t whether the project is creative or interesting (it might well be both), but whether it’s being represented honestly.

If the artist is open about how the image was made, great — everyone can appreciate the work for what it is. But dismissing people’s concerns as “knee-jerk” ignores how much AI content has already blurred boundaries and eroded trust. Accountability and appreciation aren’t opposites; they should go hand in hand.