This is an interesting dilemma. I think in your case it would be better to have no images. I usually find AI images distracting, tasteless, or so generic that, like you, I scroll past them like an ad.

Most importantly, the AI images never reflect the enriching clarity, generosity, and patience of your writing and ideas. So including them only dilutes the quality of the overall experience reading your posts.

When I'm reading, say, The Atlantic, every article has an interesting header image that is very carefully curated and designed. It positively contributes to the reading experience. If you (understandably) don't have the resources or attention to curate images like that, AI stuff isn't the answer. Not for readers like me!

If all the metrics suggest that articles with images so better, there are a couple of others options. One, as suggested by someone else here, is to simply cycle though a human artist’s public domain paintings, from somewhere like wikimedia. Or, find a half-dozen images you like, perhaps with help from a friend. Then repeatedly cycle through those, perhaps using the same image for each part dealing with the same topic.

Regardless of your choice, I'll always keep reading!