Just Eat apologises for bizarre AI-generated food images

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 16:20 · Archive

Just Eat has removed AI-generated images of restaurant food after the system created bizarre dishes including chips in muffins and eggs in beer.

Just Eat has apologised for a series of mistakes with AI-generated pictures used to showcase restaurant food items that lacked existing images on its platform. The AI created bizarre concoctions that circulated on social media, including bacon and eggs floating in a glass of cola, chips protruding from muffins, jalapeño cheese depicted as a block of cheese with entire slices of jalapeño in it, and a ham and cheese wrap containing cubes of raw ham and cheese in an untoasted tortilla.

A Just Eat spokesperson said the firm was 'in the process of removing' the incorrect images and would pause making more until the AI was further developed. The spokesperson noted that Just Eat works with tens of thousands of small restaurants on food imagery, including funding professional local photographers, and acknowledged that the trial of AI-enhanced images showed that 'as with any new technology, it isn't always quite right the first time.'

The incident highlights the difficulties companies face when using AI to interpret words in specific contexts. Images of the unusual dishes have sparked discussion on social media, with users expressing concerns about whether AI-generated images—even if accurate—serve customers well, as they may lead to disappointment if the delivered food does not match the 'perfect' version depicted.

How it is being reported

• Just Eat apologises for hilarious AI-generated food picturesThe company said it is in the process of removing the images (Picture: Reuters) Just Eat has been forced to apologise after hungry shoppers unearthed AI-generated snaps of food items on the platform. The delivery service had been testing out tech that it hoped would generate images of food that…Metro · 22 Oct, 16:00
• Just Eat apologises for AI food mistakes after social media ridiculeA spokesperson said it was removing inaccurate AI images and pausing the rollout of the tool.BBC Technology · 21 Oct, 18:04

In this story: Just Eat · Manchester · UK

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