> the whole point of the endeavor is the process of getting that knowledge and becoming an expert in the system

There's nothing stopping you from making an emulator without using AI or whichever way you think is best for your own learning.

AI allows players to have decompiled and in turn ports of games to new platforms, enhanced versions of the game, etc.

Seems pretty egoistical when nobody's forcing you to use AI in any way, and it provides an objective benefit to other people.