If you use a technology (large ML models that generate images, ie so-called 'AI art') that's explicitly pitched and marketed with the goal of immiserating artists, I don't think it should surprise you if people are mad about it or find it distasteful or don't want to be around it.
No amount of saying you're just 'having fun' with the 'tool' is going to change that. Arguments along the lines of "this is inevitable and the capitalists have won anyway so why are you mad at me" are not going to make people less mad at you.
Frankly what people are saying right now in defense of engaging with this stuff gives off similar vibes to what people were saying ten months ago in defense of selling NFTs. People are seeing a movement from capital that's aimed at turning their livelihoods into another grounds to collect rent, squeezing them out in the process. They want to oppose that without consideration of whether opposition will succeed. You're not going to make friends by saying "lol it's over anyway just let me have fun."
If you're using the large ML models put out by VC-backed 'AI' orgs, you're being subsidised to make generative art by organizations that are actively working to harm people. You're materially benefiting from the harm. Maybe in a minute or insignificant or pointless way, but that's still the case.
This is an ongoing conflict that people are angry about and have a right to be angry about; petulantly complaining that they should direct their anger at the capitalists and not you isn't going to change anyone's feelings.
If someone puffs cigarette smoke in my face, I'm going to be annoyed at them, and "you should be mad at phillip morris, not me" isn't an argument.
