Restaurants Increasingly Using Low-Quality AI Imagery for Menus
· Technology · Wired, TechCrunch
Restaurants are increasingly deploying AI-generated images on physical and digital menus to save on photography costs. Consumers are reporting that these images often appear distorted, featuring unnatural food textures or anatomically impossible dishes. Industry experts note that while high-end AI models can produce photorealistic results, many businesses are using lower-quality tools that result in clearly inauthentic visuals. This trend has expanded from third-party delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats to physical signage in coffee shops and delis. Brendan Sweeney, CEO of Popmenu, stated that restaurants using obviously fake AI imagery risk damaging their brand reputation compared to using no photos at all.
Why it matters
The proliferation of low-quality AI imagery creates a disconnect between consumer expectations and reality, potentially harming the credibility of small businesses that rely on digital marketing to attract customers.
Read the original report — Wired
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