Side of slop? Bizarre AI food images jump from online to IRL menus

AI “slop” is increasingly on offer at brick-and-mortar establishments.

AI “slop” is now increasingly on offer at brick-and-mortar establishments.

As AI image-making technology has grown more advanced — and cheaper to use, in some cases being free — images with a distinct “slop” flavor, namely ones with surreal or even disturbing attributes, have begun appearing on bodega, café and restaurant menus.

There’s the shrimp scampi whose shrimp look more like miniature life preservers.

A breakfast burrito with filling that looks more like something out of a horror movie.

And “protein” options that look like they’re covered in bugs.