There is a difference being able to drop down in C and using exclusively C.
One of the main advantage of python is being to quickly write code, and using C-based library / part of code written in C (or fortran, or rust for what it matters) when needed.
“just write C” may lack a bit of nuance.
This is not up to you or me : AI is an area of expertise / a scientific field with a precise definition. Large, but well defined.