So interesting to read about AI perceptions from the other side. In my mind, the problems with these drafts were moreso that the writers using AI could not (or would not) actually engage and improve them when given feedback, not necessarily that their writing process did not match the traditional one.

I'm not sure I see any inherent problem with publishing books written with the help of AI. As with software, I don't really care much how it's made, I care bout my experience with the finished product.

"Is it worth the $?" is ultimately the question that will be asked of anything one pays for, regardless of how exactly it was produced.