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Innovative Experimentation Gone Awry
An AI-driven meal planner app, developed by a prominent New Zealand supermarket chain, has taken an unexpected turn, suggesting potentially dangerous and bizarre recipes to its users. Intended to offer creative solutions for utilizing leftovers amidst economic challenges, the app’s unusual recommendations have sparked concern and controversy.
An Unconventional Approach to Meal Planning
Pak ‘n’ Save, the supermarket behind the AI app, introduced a novel concept: an app that assists users in crafting meals using the ingredients available in their homes. By inputting household items, users receive auto-generated recipes paired with enthusiastic commentary. Initially gaining attention for unconventional recipes like the “oreo vegetable stir-fry,” the app raised eyebrows for its quirky meal plannerl ideas.
From Odd to Dangerous: Unintended Consequences Emerge
As curious users ventured beyond the usual ingredients, the app’s suggestions took an alarming turn. Among them, a recipe named the “aromatic water mix” surfaced, capable of producing lethal chlorine gas. Remarkably, the AI app marketed this concoction as a “nonalcoholic beverage to quench your thirst and refresh your senses,” neglecting to mention the grave health risks associated with inhaling chlorine gas.
Social Media Echoes and Experimentation
Political commentator Liam Hehir amplified the issue by sharing the hazardous recipe on Twitter. This spurred a wave of experimentation among New Zealanders, who discovered more alarming recipes. Suggestions ranged from a bleach-infused “fresh breath” mocktail to ant-poison and glue sandwiches, as well as a peculiar “methanol bliss” dish, revealing the app’s unintended and troubling culinary creativity.
Supermarket’s Reaction and Pledge
The supermarket expressed disappointment over the misuse of its AI app, emphasizing that the tool was designed for legitimate culinary exploration. Acknowledging the need for enhanced oversight and safety, the supermarket committed to refining the AI app’s controls, focusing on ensuring both safety and utility. The app’s terms and conditions, stipulating a user age requirement of 18, were highlighted as part of their efforts to prevent misuse.
Lessons in Caution and Responsibility
In a cautionary disclaimer appended to the meal-planner, the AI app stressed that its recipes were unvetted by humans and lacked any guarantee of nutritional completeness or suitability for consumption. Users were advised to exercise their judgment before relying on the AI-generated recipes, underscoring the importance of individual responsibility in culinary decision-making.
