## 5 Discussion Results  
Based on the studies conducted, it is evident that the use of AI in generating visual content for the food industry holds significant potential, while simultaneously raising multifaceted questions regarding product perception, authenticity, and communication. Among survey participants, images generated with Adobe Firefly 3 were preferred over actual photographs, confirming that contemporary consumers of all ages are primarily visually oriented and often respond more positively to aesthetically enhanced imagery than to strictly realistic depictions. The statistical analysis confirms that the preference for AI-generated images was not only visually apparent but also statistically robust. Chi-square tests showed that for 14 out of the 15 meat products evaluated, the preference for AI images over photographs was significant at the \(p\) < 0.05 level. The strongest preferences were observed for burger, roasted chicken, and Carnional sausage, each exceeding 90% AI preference and yielding extremely high chi-square values (\(p\) < 10\({}^{-29}\)). Products like spaghetti bolognese, chicken medallions, and hot dogs also showed strong and significant favorability toward AI images. In contrast, steak was the only item where the observed difference did not reach statistical significance (\(p\) = 0.12), suggesting that for certain products with more complex or recognizable textures, AI may still fall short in visual persuasion. These results confirm that the observed preference trends are not due to chance and support the broader conclusion that GenAI imagery, particularly when visually optimized, can surpass conventional photography in consumer appeal across a wide range of meat products. The preference for AI-generated images, such as the 92.9% favorability toward the AI-rendered burger, suggests that lay audiences are drawn to their idealized, clean, and stylized aesthetic. This likely reflects contemporary visual norms shaped by advertising and social media. However, this appeal contrasts with expert evaluations, which highlight AI's shortcomings in accurately depicting color, texture, and structure. The gap points to both a marketing opportunity and a perceptual limitation: while GenAI excels in creating visually engaging content, it risks misleading consumers, especially with traditional or regulated products. Therefore, AI-generated visuals may be best used as a complement to photography, with clear labeling and reference-based refinement to balance appeal and accuracy. Nevertheless, concerns remain regarding the professional adequacy of AI-generated images. In the expert evaluation, food-technology specialists clearly demonstrated that images generated with Adobe Firefly 3 frequently fail to meet the required standards for accurate color reproduction, structural detail, shape fidelity, and recognizability of characteristic features. Such deficiencies may confuse consumers, especially when dealing with protected or traditional products (e.g., Carniolan sausage), where visual accuracy is essential. Although AI-generated images can create a positive user experience, they can also contribute to misperceptions of the product, potentially leading to suboptimal purchasing decisions in certain contexts [25]. Results from the second study on lay preferences showed that younger age cohorts were more likely to favor images generated with Adobe Firefly 3, even when they were aware that the images were created by AI. Notably, older age groups did not uniformly reject these images; a significant proportion still found them visually appealing, indicating a shift in attitudes toward technology across all demographic segments. The concept of the uncanny valley [15] offers a compelling lens through which to interpret the negative reactions to specific AI-generated images, particularly mortadella and beef tartare.