Why AI-generated food images look unappetizing

Restaurants, cafes, and brands are increasingly turning to AI to generate images promoting their food. The resulting outputs, however, are often unappetizing and even grotesque.

The generated images include items like donut shrimp, "Reubens from the deep," worm-like noodles, and noodle-like pastries, alongside stringy chicken. Other images feature construction material masquerading as ice cream, and ice cream resembling brains.

Many of these AI creations are so misshapen that they are difficult to identify as food. For instance, monstrous burger attempts and "trypophobic burritos" with lumps and holes illustrate the challenges.

This trend raises questions about AI's capability to accurately depict and appeal to consumers with food imagery, particularly in a marketing context.