Fortunately, a machine isn't an autonomous mind that does anything on its own.

Instead, it is a person who uses the machine, just like fan artists can use a computer to make fan art.

True, but still different in the same way as using machines for certain purposes is not the same as a human doing the same without a machine. Just because you can walk from A to B does not mean driving from A to B requires no driving license, for example (and the car needs to fullfil a lot regulations).

Is that what you’d tell the police if you were caught selling pirated copies of Blu Rays?

That supports my point, not yours.

A machine being involved in the process doesn't change any of the copyright implications.

Either it's infringement or it isn't, regardless if the human did it on their own, or if the human did it with a computer.