I haven't read your story yet...just the postscript. Hallelujah! OMG, it's becoming a form of visual abuse. These are so formulaic, so transparently syntheses of other people's thoughts. It hurts my eyes. I don't think use of an AI image indicates AI writing. Often it indicates weak writing. Writing for which an author could not be bothered to come up with an original image.

What does it take to slap your own photo on top of a story? What does it take to click on Pixabay and come up with an image? Why would you delegate your creativity, your idea to someone or something else? We grow up (that is, mature) with a desire to be independent, to be ourselves. And then we turn that long struggle for autonomy over to another entity ??? I don't get it.

You see, you hit a really sensitive issue for me.