I used to think you’d struggle to replace an actual illustrator/artist because clients always want something specific. But really it isn’t about you giving them what they want it’s about them having to deal with you at all.
Why would I message the illustrator, negotiate rate, have a meeting then have back and forths trying to get what I want when AI can be running from the first moment without interacting with anyone else and it can be spitting out versions of the thing before you have the actual person in a video call.
It can do this all day and all night then someone just had to choose what version of the thing they want or nudge it closer.
It happened to art and I don’t see why devs think they’re immune.
On a long enough timeline, there may only be unfortunately project managers.
(Still think building great and opinionated work has value. But low level generic work is on the chopping block as far as I can see today)