AI Menu Images Trigger Disgust as 55% of Young U.S. Adults Worry More Than Feel Excited
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 1
AI Menu Images Trigger Disgust as 55% of Young U.S. Adults Worry More Than Feel Excited
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 1
Summary
Restaurant menus filled with AI-generated food images are drawing visceral backlash, with diners describing nausea, suppressed appetite and distrust in what the kitchen will actually serve.
Psychologist Stephanie Sarkis said the near-real-but-fake visuals trap the brain between attraction and avoidance, while repeated textures can intensify distress for people with trypophobia.
Nearly 2 million views on one X post helped turn the reaction into a broader online trend, as users shared more examples of what they call "AI food slop" appearing in the wild.
Food photographer Emily Hawkes said the images fail because customers want truthful, appetizing pictures of real dishes, arguing even a phone photo is better than synthetic menu art.
The backlash lands as AI ads spread under cost pressure and public skepticism deepens: 55% of U.S. adults under 30 told Pew in August they are more concerned than excited about AI.