Instacart, the grocery-delivery app, has recently incorporated generative AI technology to enhance the food photos used alongside its AI-generated recipes. However, the outcomes have turned out to be quite unsettling. Users on the Instacart subreddit were the first to notice the telltale signs of AI-generated imagery. Business Insider further investigated the matter and discovered additional images by searching for common ingredients or recipes like "chicken, " "cheese, " or "cookie. " Many of these pictures feature physically impossible or improbable compositions, unnatural shadows, and the blending of visually similar elements into a single object. For example, a photo labeled as "Hot Dog Stir Fry" exhibits a hot dog with the texture of a tomato. Another image, labeled as "Grilled Salmon Ceaser Salad, " shows a lemon slice and lettuce combining to create a novel fruit-and-vegetable hybrid previously unknown to humans. Moreover, the photo for "Chicken Inasal" displays two chickens conjoined near the shoulder, despite the recipe merely calling for chicken thighs. Lastly, the photo for "Microwave Mug Chocolate Chip Cookie a la Mode" oddly depicts a small chocolate chip cookie hanging on the side of a coffee mug. Although AI image detection software is far from flawless, a program named "Is It AI" was used to analyze the above images, and all of them were determined to be likely generated by AI. Interestingly, the text presenting the ingredients and instructions for these recipes is also generated by AI, as disclosed by Instacart itself. They state, "This recipe is powered by the magic of AI, so that means it may not be perfect. Check temperatures, taste, and season as you go. Or totally switch things up — you're the head chef now. Consult product packaging to confirm any dietary or nutritional information which is provided here for convenience only. Make sure to follow recommended food safety guidelines. " A search for this specific text on Instacart's site revealed over 8, 000 recipe results, ranging from "Grilled Asparagus" to "Argentine Torta de Ricota. " Business Insider conducted a spot check on five different recipes displaying this text and found that the associated photos were likely also generated by AI, according to the AI-detection software employed.

However, it could not be determined if this was true for all recipes containing this specific text string. When approached for comment, a spokesperson for Instacart stated that the company is focused on optimizing the user experience. In May 2023, Instacart announced a partnership with OpenAI to develop an AI model called "Ask Instacart, " designed to assist users in choosing dinner recipes. However, the press release did not mention that AI-generated recipes would be introduced on the platform as well. The spokesperson clarified, "We are constantly refining our product to align with consumer expectations as generative AI technology advances. " Over the past year, various companies have faced accusations or confessed to employing generative AI imagery. Reuters reported that major advertising agencies have been using generative AI art in their advertisements. Wacom, a popular tablet manufacturer for digital artists, even removed images suspected to be created by generative AI. Gaming company Wizards of the Coast issued an apology after using generative AI in some of their ads. With a few exceptions, such as Adobe Firefly, the legal implications of generative AI imagery in relation to copyright infringement and intellectual property rights remain uncertain. Most generative AI models are trained on imagery that is not licensed for use in AI training data sets. In fact, Getty has filed lawsuits against Stability AI, accusing them of using Getty's photos without proper compensation. (Axel Springer, the parent company of Business Insider, has agreed to collaborate with OpenAI to eventually allow users in ChatGPT to access content from Axel Springer properties. ) Instacart, one of the few companies to go public in 2023, currently trades 25% below its IPO price of $30 as of the end of Friday's trading session. Except for a brief surge during its debut, the stock has struggled to surpass its initial offering price. The next earnings report is scheduled for mid-February.