Artificial Intelligence is making waves in the food world, especially on social media. We’re seeing pages popping up all over Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, offering foodie images and recipes that seem too good to pass up. But before you jump in and start cooking, there’s something you should know... These AI-created dishes are often untested, unverified, and will likely lead to costly food waste!
So What’s Going On with AI in Food?
AI can be used to generate everything from recipes to food photography, with tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney analysing massive data sets of recipes and food images, creating new dishes, combinations, and even pictures of food that looks too good to be true. The result? An endless stream of perfect-looking meals popping up on your feed, from Instagram-worthy desserts to trendy dinner ideas.
The Catch: Why You Should Be Cautious
Untested Recipes: Just because AI says a recipe will work doesn’t mean it will. AI might combine ingredients that look good on paper but taste terrible together. Or worse, the recipe might not even work properly. Ever seen a recipe that sounds a bit strange? It probably is.
Health Risks: AI-generated recipes can overlook important health factors like allergens or proper cooking techniques. It might suggest odd ingredient substitutions or fail to mention food safety tips.
Unrealistic Photos: AI-generated food photos often look too perfect to be true (while the trained eye might be able to spot them a mile off, it’s not always true for scrolling consumers).. The food might be altered to make it look better than it really is, leaving you with a sad, deflated and often inedible version of what you saw on your screen.
No Accountability: Unlike human food influencers, chefs, retailer recipes or home economist who test and develop their recipes, AI-generated food lacks that personal touch. There's noone behind the scenes to answer for why a recipe flopped, or why it was unsafe to eat in the first place.
How to Be Smart About It
● Look for Verified Sources: Stick to accounts from real chefs, food influencers, or established brands that test their recipes (like those made in the Ceres Kitchen!).
● Check Reviews: If a recipe comes from an AI-generated account, see if anyone else has tried it first. Remember, you’re not alone in this food journey!
● Trust Your Instincts: If the recipe seems too weird or the food picture looks too polished, it’s okay to walk away.
The Bottom Line: AI in Food Can Be Fun, But Beware
AI-generated food pages offer exciting possibilities, but they're also a bit of a gamble. While AI can come up with cool ideas and images, it lacks the human touch and testing that ensures a recipe is both delicious and safe. So, before you cook up that “amazing” new recipe you saw on social media, take a second to ask: Can it really be as good as it looks? You might just save yourself from a kitchen disaster.
