Uncanny and unappetizing: appetites spoil as AI images take over food menus
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in restaurants, including in menu designs and advertisements. However, some customers dislike AI-generated pictures of food because they can look strange or unrealistic. Jill Sennett, a nurse in Denver, shared AI food images online because she thought the pictures looked very unappetizing. Many people agreed with her and criticized the restaurant's use of AI.
Restaurants say they use AI because it can help them save money. Hiring professional photographers or graphic designers can be expensive, especially when food and labor costs are increasing. A 2026 report found that 26% of restaurant operators use AI for activities such as marketing, managing inventory, scheduling employees, improving menus, and taking orders.
One problem is that AI sometimes creates food that does not look real. Professional food photographer Jamie Soja said AI often gets the texture, color, ingredients, and lighting wrong. Some customers also worry that AI pictures may make the actual food look different from what they see in advertisements. Because of this, some restaurants have received negative reactions when customers discover that their food pictures were created by AI.
Researchers are also studying how AI food pictures affect people's appetites. A 2024 study found that people generally liked AI-generated food pictures when they did not know they were made by AI. However, after learning that the images were computer-generated, they found them less attractive. The study also found that AI often adds things like extra butter or fat to make food appear more delicious.
Not everyone dislikes AI in restaurants. Some restaurant owners think it is a fun and affordable way to advertise their food. Others prefer traditional methods, such as hand-drawn pictures, because they feel more authentic. As restaurants continue to experiment with AI, they must decide when the technology is useful and when it may make customers question whether the food shown is real.
Edited using generative AI tools.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/sep/06/ai-food-menu-images
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