KFC Japan Confirms Its Product Ads Were Made with Generative AI

According to Japanese media reports, KFC Japan recently started trial sales of ice cream cola drinks and ice cream melon soda at select stores, and netizens found that the promotional images were made with generative AI. KFC Japan confirmed the images did use generative AI, but said it could not share details about how the products were made. The company also declined to answer whether it will use AI for other products.

In the promotional images, the ice cubes are dyed the same deep green as the soda and have a jelly-like shine, which clearly looks different from real photos.

The news sparked discussions on X and other social media, with many users holding negative views. Some said the images look odd, some worried the pictures don't match the actual products, and others think AI-made images could damage the brand's image.