It isn't a lowered barrier though. Nothing about making AI art helps people learn how to make real art. There is no connection. My big worry is that a lot of kids who could've learned to draw or paint will instead go for the easy route of just typing in prompts instead of actually learning a skill. It will make art feel less accessible, not more.

Though I am really biased, as I really don't like AI art taking about a huge chunk of my work and preventing me from being able to afford food.