The article examines how local restaurants and small businesses are using AI-generated food imagery in their marketing, raising questions about authenticity, consumer trust, and the potential consequences of replacing real product photography with artificial images.
Key Takeaways
- AI offers a cost-effective marketing alternative. Small businesses are using AI-generated images to reduce photography and advertising expenses while keeping up with the demand for frequent social media content.
- Misleading imagery can undermine consumer trust. Lee warns that AI-generated advertisements become problematic when they depict products businesses do not actually sell, potentially creating unrealistic customer expectations.
- Authenticity matters for neighborhood businesses. Lee explains that local establishments depend on personal relationships and community connections, making customers particularly sensitive to advertising that feels artificial or impersonal. The Washington Post
“When they start using AI, all of a sudden it cuts against that feeling of connection and humanness.” — Jeff Lee, Kogod School of Business