There is a book "steal like an artist" by Austin Kleon that addresses this idea. Real short read and interesting visuals.
As for AI specifically.
Ai image generation tools are just that, a tool. Using them doesn't immediately discredit your work. There is a skillset in getting them to produce your vision. And that vision is the human element not present in the tool alone.
I personally don't think terribly highly of ai art, but the idea that it's "just stealing real artists hard work" is absurd. It makes art accessable to people intimidated by other mediums, chill out and let people make shit.
Looking back, this meme was probably a stepping stone for incels