幽灵外卖店，用AI门头照撑门面

Core Viewpoint - The rise of AI-generated storefront images in the food delivery industry has led to consumer deception, as many restaurants misrepresent themselves as dine-in establishments while operating as small takeout shops [1][5][18]. Group 1: Consumer Experience - Consumers, like Chen Ying, have been misled by attractive AI-generated images of restaurants, believing they are ordering from reputable dine-in locations [1][2]. - Many users on social media have reported similar experiences, discovering that the actual storefronts do not match the appealing online images [5][8]. Group 2: AI Image Usage - Numerous food delivery businesses are utilizing AI-generated storefront images to create a false impression of their establishments, often leading to consumer disappointment [10][12]. - The AI-generated images often depict spacious and busy restaurants, while the actual locations are small and primarily focused on takeout [6][10]. Group 3: Industry Response - Platforms like Meituan and Ele.me have been actively working to combat the issue of "ghost restaurants" by increasing the scrutiny of merchant qualifications and implementing stricter verification processes [18][19]. - Meituan reported handling 45,000 cases of merchant violations in 2024, a 41% increase from the previous year, while Ele.me has removed over 31,000 non-compliant merchants [18][19]. Group 4: Emerging Trends - A new industry trend has emerged where businesses offer services to create AI-generated storefront images, with prices ranging from 10 to 40 yuan, indicating a growing market for such deceptive practices [14][17]. - The proliferation of AI tools has facilitated the mass production of these misleading images, raising concerns about consumer trust in online food delivery services [12][14].