I was avoiding the word "approximate", because that implies a connection to the original raw data. A generative model guesses what data should be filled in, ba

I was avoiding the word "approximate", because that implies a connection to the original raw data. A generative model guesses what data should be filled in, based on what is present in its own model. This process is totally ignorant of the original (missing) data. To contrast, a lossy codec works directly with the original data. It chooses what to throw out based on what the algorithm itself can best reproduce during playback. This is why you should never transcode from one lossy codec to another: the holes will no longer line up with the algorithm's hole-filling expectations.