> the idea that, prior to AI, most of this type of work was being done by skille...

> the idea that, prior to AI, most of this type of work was being done by skilled artisans dedicated to quality work product

Some of us were lucky to have a few periods in our career where this was the case. I would agree that this disappeared prior to AI.

It still exists now, but it's always been a incredibly small niche role.