I’m an artist who accepts AI-generated references. And this is why. At this point, AI images are everywhere. Refusing every client who has ever used them doesn’t help anyone. If someone sends me AI references, I’ll tell them they’re AI generated. I’ll still accept the commission, but I’ll ask them to confirm they won’t upload my artwork into AI training systems. I’ll also explain that if they continue relying on AI references in the future, after I've completed a design for them, I’ll have no choice but to blacklist them as a client. If I have the opportunity to create an original character or design for someone, something made by a real artist instead of generated by AI, I would much rather do that than turn them away and leave them with an even worse impression of artists. I think, as artists, we need to do better at educating people on the harms Gen AI does. And try to have a bit more understanding. It is easy to spot people who don't care about the harm that Gen AI does. Just have a bit of communication with the client and confirm they will move away from using any AI References after you create them a design. If they continue to use those references alongside my art. Then I will warn other artists, and black list them. A lot of people who use generative AI don’t do it because they hate artists. Many of them feel rejected, intimidated, or like they can’t afford or approach artists in the first place. If we want people to move away from generative AI, we need to encourage them to commission artists instead. Education and positive experiences are far more likely to change someone’s mind than immediately shutting them out. Every commission from someone transitioning away from AI is a step toward supporting human artists instead.