Artificial intelligence is now prevalent in many facets of modern life—from generating music to automating tasks in fast food. Recently, this tech has made an unexpected appearance: on holiday tins of Danish Butter Cookies. These nostalgic tins, often repurposed for storing keepsakes once the cookies are gone, are reportedly featuring AI-generated art.
A Reddit user, u/PopeBruhLXIX, sparked a conversation in the r/Costco thread, sharing photos of cookie tins from the brand Kelsen, a renowned Danish cookie manufacturer. These tins traditionally sport festive designs during the holiday season. In the shared images, one tin showcases children ice skating in a snowy setting, while another features a charming log cabin theme. At first glance, the designs seem harmless, but a closer look reveals unusually distorted features typical of AI-generated images.
For instance, one child in the snow appears to lack an arm, while another displays disproportionately short arms. The windmill depicted on yet another tin shows a design that defies logical architecture, with oddly positioned, twisted pipes extending off its blades. In the backdrop, distant windmills morph into unusual shapes resembling something from a surrealist gallery.
Why should you care about AI art in your cookie tin?
Up to now, neither Costco nor Kelsen has clarified whether AI was indeed used for their artwork. While the use of AI may not alter the flavor or quality of the cookies, the online uproar indicates growing dissatisfaction. The Reddit post alone has gathered over 300 comments, with numerous users expressing disappointment in Kelsen and vowing not to purchase their products.
What appears to concern buyers most is Kelsen’s continued promotion of the artwork featured on their tins. Their website emphasizes the legacy of quality designs, stating, “Designer tins is a business area that Kelsen has always been known for … we take pride in the fact that many of our previous designer tins have become collector’s items.” By opting for AI-generated art, customers feel the brand has chosen a path that lacks authenticity and robs a talented artist of their work. AI-generated designs have already elicited unsettling reactions in various contexts, including food commercials. The human touch is something we all treasure in art, writing, and music, yet even fortune cookie messages are now attributed to AI.
While Kelsen’s tins are durable and practical for reuse, the shift from nostalgic art to an AI-driven design diminishes their sentimental value. Enjoying these cookies with a warm beverage remains a pleasant experience. However, the charm of keeping the tin for future uses—once a strong selling point—has lost its luster as art transitions to an impersonal creation.
