Why AI food looks like that

<figure> <img alt="A collage of AI generated food that is disgusting and a person in the center who is disgusted" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/268722_Why_does_AI_food_look_like_that_CVirginia.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="has-drop-cap wp-block-paragraph">There is a torrent of unappetizing slop coming from restaurants, cafes, and brands that are increasingly turning to AI to generate images promoting their food. The resulting horror show includes <a href="https://x.com/samfbiddle/status/2091599814144467298?s=20">donut shrimp</a>, <a href="https://x.com/dropchris1000/status/2093034729536631064?s=20">Reubens from the deep</a>, <a href="https://x.com/wsgadIibs/status/2094577421118824593?s=20">wormlike noodles</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/maggiemoda/status/2093327513711763661?s=20">noodle-like pastries</a> and <a href="https://x.com/LadyFear1/status/2093119879591133562?s=20">stringy chicken</a>. There's also construction material masquerading as ice cream, <a href="https://x.com/maggiemoda/status/2093327513711763661?s=20">ice cream masquerading as brains</a>, and other <a href="https://x.com/LadyFear1/status/2093119879591133562?s=20">masonry-adjacent cuisine.</a> I don't even know how to begin describing this <a href="https://x.com/IncomingSwarm/status/2092297507392942487?s=20">monstrous attempt of a burger</a>, and the less said about the <a href="https://x.com/katexbt/status/2092916782990299438?s=20">trypophobic burrito from hell</a>, grubs and all, the better. There are <a href="https://x.com/zetalyrae/status/2095333794815652237?s=20">lumps</a>. And <a href="https://x.com/HumanLevelJen/status/2094331900542230529?s=20">holes</a>. <a href="https://x.com/REMARKSIST/status/2092937530257617036?s=20">So many holes</a>.</p> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>"Diffusion mo …</p></blockquote></figure> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/989376/ai-generated-food-why-does-it-look-like-that">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>