In recent revelations, Instacart, the popular grocery delivery app, is facing criticism for its purported utilization of AI-generated images accompanying entries for common ingredients and recipes. Users on the Instacart subreddit have raised concerns about the company’s reliance on image generators, sparking discussions on the platform.
A quick search for “AI” on the Instacart subreddit reveals numerous complaints from users, highlighting instances where the company seemingly employed AI to generate images for various food items. Some users expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the images, describing them as both nauseating and unintentionally hilarious.
The controversy deepened as users discovered that not only were the accompanying images AI-generated, but the recipes themselves were also purportedly created by artificial intelligence. Instacart acknowledged this by stating that the recipes were “powered by the magic of AI” and conceded that they “may not be perfect.”
Following a critical report by Business Insider on this emerging trend, Instacart reportedly took action by deleting several of the AI-generated recipes. This move comes amid growing concerns about the use of AI in content creation, as companies strive to streamline their processes and enhance productivity.
Instacart’s reliance on AI image generators, however, has proven to be inherently flawed, with users on the subreddit sharing instances of misleading and unsettling visuals. Some examples include representations of “salted chocolate pretzels” resembling horrifying brown protrusions and mysteriously floating slices assumed to be green onions. One user even documented multiple instances, ranging from a mug made of chocolate cake to a roasted chicken with an unusual number of wings.
It remains unclear what proportion of Instacart’s recipe images are generated by AI. A spokesperson for the company responded to the criticism, stating that they are “optimizing for the best user experience” and emphasizing their commitment to adapting to consumer expectations as generative AI technology advances.
Despite these reassurances, the disturbing outcomes suggest that Instacart’s current approach may require further refinement and oversight, raising questions about the effectiveness of their foray into the realm of generative AI technology.