Ajinomoto apologizes for AI-distorted product image

Ajinomoto has issued an apology following a social media controversy involving the use of generative AI to process product images. The issue arose from a post on the official X account of ‘Ajinomoto Park’, a web media platform operated by the company.

The post, intended to share a recipe for making noodle soup base using the company’s ‘Hondashi’ product, featured an image where the product packaging was visibly distorted. Users pointed out that the text on the label had become illegible and that the brand name ‘HONDASHI’ had been altered to ‘MONDASHI’.

In a response to the criticism, Ajinomoto Park clarified that the image was not entirely generated by AI from scratch. Instead, they had used AI to modify an actual photograph to adjust the brightness and change the background. This processing resulted in the unintended corruption of the product’s text and labels. The company has apologized for the lack of oversight and stated they are working to prevent a recurrence.