--- title: "Instacart Caught Using Revolting AI-Generated Images of Food" description: "Grocery-delivery app Instacart was caught using AI image generators for pictures of recipes and ingredients, with horrifying results." date: "2024-02-01" modified: "2024-02-01" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/instacart-caught-ai-generated-images-food" categories: - "Food" - "Future Society" tags: - "image generators" - "the digest" --- # Instacart Caught Using Revolting AI-Generated Images of Food ![Grocery-delivery app Instacart was caught using AI image generators for pictures of recipes and ingredients, with horrifying results.]() *\Image: Instacart / Futurism\* ## Instacontent We've already come across countless companies attempting to use generative AI to [save a buck]() on human labor or [skirt around copyright](), with often [unintentionally hilarious]() and at times [infuriating results](). But in the case of grocery delivery app Instacart, the results are mainly just nauseating. Users on the [Instacart subreddit]() caught the company seemingly using image generators to create pictures that accompany entries for common ingredients or recipes on the app. A [simple search]() for "AI" on the forum results in a number of users complaining about the company resorting to AI for images. Even many of the recipes accompanying the questionable pictures of horrific foods were AI-generated, with the company [noting]() that they were "powered by the magic of AI" and therefore "may not be perfect." However, following [*Business Insider*'s damning report]() on the trend, the company appears to have [deleted]() a number of these AI-generated recipes. It's only the latest example of companies making use of the tech in an apparent effort to streamline and boost content creation. But AI image generators are still inherently flawed, an inconvenience that companies like Instacart are glossing over in favor of flooding the internet with low quality images and text. ## Demon Pretzels Given Instacart's desire to advertise delicious recipes and ingredients to customers, it's an especially egregious example of flawed AI image generators being put to use, likely without any human oversight. One Reddit user came across [horrifying brown protrusions]() that were meant to represent "salted chocolate pretzels." Another redditor encountered [mysteriously floating]() slices of what appear to be green onions. One particularly keen user [spotted]() almost a dozen examples, ranging from a [mug made out of chocolate cake]() to a roasted chicken with [two pairs]() of wings. It's unclear what proportion of images Instacart uses for its recipes were generated by an AI. A spokesperson told *BI* that the company is "optimizing for the best user experience" and that "we are constantly iterating on our product to align with consumer expectations as generative AI technology matures." But given the horrifying results, the company's dabbling clearly isn't working out so well, so it must have plenty of "iterating" left to do. **More on image generators:** *[ChatGPT Says It's Reached the Limit of How Silly It Can Make the Goose]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()