It appears that AI-generated images of food are becoming more popular than real ones. A recent research study revealed that people tend to find images of food created by artificial intelligence more appealing.
The study, published in the journal Food Quality and Preference, aimed to determine how well participants could differentiate between AI-generated food images and real ones, as well as how attractive they found these images. Participants were presented with a variety of food pictures, both real and AI-generated, across different levels of processing.
Surprisingly, the AI-generated food images seemed to be more visually appealing to the participants. However, this preference was only observed when the participants were unaware that the images were generated by AI. When they were informed about the source of the images, the appeal seemed to reduce.
The study also found that participants were quite adept at identifying AI-generated images, especially when the images were more processed. This contrasts with previous studies that struggled to detect AI in images of human faces.
Additionally, the study revealed that disclosing whether an image was AI-generated or real had a significant impact on its perceived appeal. When participants were informed that an image was genuine, its appeal increased.
The research study pointed out the complex nature of consumer perception of AI-generated food images and highlighted the important role of AI technology in shaping consumer behavior. Future research avenues could explore how emotion, such as the connection with comfort foods, influences consumer acceptance of digitally created content.
While AI-generated images are becoming more prevalent, it is essential to remember that the technology is still in its infancy. As AI models continue to advance rapidly, the results of this study may soon become outdated.
The study cautioned against the excessive use of AI-generated food images, as it could lead to “visual hunger,” potentially influencing unhealthy eating habits or creating unrealistic expectations among consumers. Understanding how consumers respond to technological advancements like AI image generation is crucial in the dynamic landscape of digital food marketing.