The use of AI to identify mushroom is increasingly concerning fungi enthusiasts.
In one example in the US, a person used Google's Gemini generative AI chatbot, which stated a mushroom was a white button - like those in the supermarket.
But in reality it was the deadly 'destroying angel' mushroom - which can kill with just half a cap worth consumed, and without immediate medical attention.
Kenny Rupert, a North Carolina fungi forager, has noticed the rise of AI for mushroom identification among mushroom hunters - and has some scary tales. He joins Kathryn Ryan.
Mycologist and senior researcher at Landcare Research here, Jerry Cooper, agrees that foragers should not trust AI to identify what is safe to eat. He says the correct ID of many fungi often relies on non-visual clues such as what tree it was growing with or what it smells like.
Photo: Photos supplied by Kenny Rupert
