With copyright, it applies to the specific work. With patents, it applies to a more general idea. Someone else can't come copyright that same photo later, but

With copyright, it applies to the specific work. With patents, it applies to a more general idea. Someone else can't come copyright that same photo later, but could someone else come and patent the method later? If not, then isn't the AI still good for invalidating the possibility to even patent the item. If so, then what must the other person do that lets them apply for the patent, and could that just be added as a step to applying for the patent?