No matter how much AI there is, the merit system is a barrier that crushes many of these spammers.
There is no doubt that merit system is a hindrance (or motivator for good posters) for spammers. People usually merit for useful stuff if there is a relatability factor also which is kind of still missing in AI posts. However, I still think AI is getting there (if not already).
Money talks. If there were no possibility of earning money on this forum, there would be AI, as I see on other forums, but not of this kind, such as trying to appear to be a good writer in order to gain merit, then move up in rank, then monetise the account. It would be a more lik funny use of AI.
Even if you are not a good writer you will still grow and earn. This is a misconception among new members who think you have to look neat and clean with your pinpoint punctuations lol.