I'd argue that context is more of a prerequisite than consciousness. Nature is art, but rocks aren't conscious. They're beautiful because they exist in a grounded reality that we can contextualize. AI-generated imagery can still be beautiful, just in a different way. Refusing to acknowledge that feels like a denial of inherent beauty and awe, which a lot of AI imagery can evoke (albeit in a dilapidated, naive way).<p>Nobody needs to justify their reason for hating AI art. The game is changed now, though, and nobody is putting the cat back into the bag. Artists will either learn to work with AI or they won't, as long as their personal satisfaction is the same then I don't see why it matters.