An opinion on using AI in art from an Anti that has actually tried using it

So at first I used to be one of thos "any use of Ai in art no matter what makes the art garbage"

But of course its more nuanced than that. I recently realized that it is kinda unfair to shit on any use of Ai in art without actually trying it.

So i actually found an opportunity to use it.

See i have this idea for a unique character (well kinda unique its more of a fusion between 2 characters i like as of right now)

But i have a problem being able to transfer what I have in my head onto the actual paper so hears where the AI comes in

So i had the idea to have the AI generate a character based off of what I was thinking of (it did actually give me something close to what I was imagining

And my plan is to use it as a refrence for what I want to draw

But the important part (atleast for me) is that im planning on making changes to it so that its still my own character

And I feel this is where using AI in art is valid not using it to draw the art for you but instead using it as help

But I would like to hear from both sides what they think, and im open 2 questions