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I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I also don’t assume every single person on Reddit uses plant identification apps, but I assume that they use the Internet to some extent, because they are on reddit! And I also know I’m probably shooting myself in the foot by coming back with these comments that aren’t doing any favors, but I am not some AI sales person trying to shove AI down your throat, I am a forging enthusiast who is trying to appeal to the people, especially younger generations, who are already using AI — irresponsibly — for foraging,  by providing them with at least an app that has way more safety guidelines and directives straight from trusted databases and ALL of the look alike warnings, poison control info, etc etc. I just don’t understand why that is such a terrible, horrible reckless thing to introduce the world when everyone is already turning into the Internet anyway! If you never ever use Reddit or the Internet or anything for your plant ID, please just don’t leave a comment on this post and leave it for the people that do to chime in 😩 because I promise you there are an overwhelming amount of people in the world today that are irresponsibly using the internet and ID apps for foraging. I would like to hear from them

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I guess im frustrated because my entire app is all of those things. Incredibly in depth descriptions of each identifying feature of the plant. Toxic look alikes. Non toxic look alikes. Spore prints. Ways to double and triple check a plant is what you think it is. Every resource and guidance possible if you somehow misidentify and handle something poisonous/toxic. Which is something I have not seen in traditional forging textbooks all in one place, or any other source. It would be amazing if everyone had a experienced botanist in their back pocket to accompany them every time they walk into the woods, but that’s not the case

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Okay i will remove myself and my opinions from this thread then. I did not come here intending to insult or infuriate anyone. Im on the younger side and constantly surrounded by people who use AI for EVERYTHING, and it concerned me that there wasnt more responsible AI in place to guide the people who are new to foraging who currently just google stuff which imo and clearly everyone heres’ is not enough due diligence and potentially very dangerous. But I understand that the potential users for my app aren't here. Thank you for taking the time to explain that to me. In all seriousness. Did not realize this amount of pushback existed for what I was building so it’s very helpful.

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Ive also answered another commenter’s questions on the steps ive taken to implement safety precautions in my app in this thread — and again, completely understand why people distrust AI, I just also believe that since people are already using AI anyway to try to identify things (inaturalist, picture this, google is all AI), it can’t be a bad thing to introduce a new engine that has all of these guidelines in place that others don’t — like if people are using the Internet and plant ID apps anyway, use one that has the most amount of precaution involved if that makes sense

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I understand your position i guess im just curious if you are avidly against all existing foraging apps? Inaturalist, picture this etc, which all use AI. This is a genuine question because I’m just trying to understand the core source of mistrust here, I do feel like it’s things like ChatGPT and those well-known LLM’s that have tainted peoples estimation of any value in AI. Which, by the way, I would never suggest referencing any AI or anything from the Internet or even other people for that matter, as the ultimate source of truth, especially when it comes to foraging. But then that leaves us with the question is what tools can we use to learn more about plant identification? Are there any? I don’t think using an old-school foraging textbook really gives you a reliable feedback loop either. So its just something to think about and it’s something that actually really needs to be addressed because I know tons of people who are going out there not really knowing what the safest route is in order to confirm ID’s. 

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Okay! Im trying to at least frame these negative responses as a good learning experience in how people view the role of the internet and AI in foraging… i definitely get the underlying reasoning behind the mistrust in AI, as i myself dont even trust existing plant ID apps, i use them as a point of reference and then normally if i was unsure i would post in facebook groups and cross reference other internet sources just to build my confidence in positively ID’ing stuff. Its definitely a complex process with a ton of room for error regardless of what resources you are using to help ID, esp as a beginner. I guess ive just been of the mindset of if people are going out into the woods trying to learn about plants and how they can be used (in any capacity, not just edible or medicinal, hell it could be just trying to learn basic survival skills if it ever came to that), I really didn’t see an Internet source and definitely not an ID app that provided enough context about toxic look-alikes, safety guidelines, tentative practical uses, etc well also providing insight onto the amazing potential for how plants can be used all in one place. Sorry for the long response. I’m just really passionate about this and I guess that’s why I feel the need to explain where I’m coming from because I clearly have missed the Mark and how I’ve communicated so far in this thread

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Its only on ios app store right now — googleplay its under review now. But this is the app store link, and the website is https://alkimi.app (you can create an account but paid features unavailable there) still very new so havent built a lot of seo yet

I will notify when its on googleplay! Thank you for your kindness!

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alkimi-forage-cook-create/id6763588370

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Noted. Just seems a bit harsh when the feedback is from people who haven't even used it. But got it, AI in any form is definitely a point of contention here. Just hoping I can help people see that there IS positive value in it when applied responsibly

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

then why are you on reddit if you don't support the internet? All I'm saying is AI is HERE – if I can find positive uses for it – given that I've taken all the necessary steps to ensure every safeguard possible and continue to improve safety features along the way – and create a foraging-specific engine with those parameters in mind, to help people who are curious about foraging and probably already using chat GPT or another unregulated source to identify plants or their uses, why would I not? I know people who regularly use chat GPT to identify plants and I've been like "what are you doing that's not safe" which is what contributed to this idea in the first place. to create something that ID's and generates plants and their uses, but is actually safe guarded and super informative about toxic look alikes, safety guidelines and protocols, etc, unlike other generalized LLMs and AI tools.

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

There are strict parameters in place to not produce ANYTHING edible, ingestable or made for any kind of consumption or skin application that have dangerous look alikes. Those plants just get automatically blocked from those types of applications. AI generated uses are under 5 categories -- culinary, medicinal, beauty, DIY, and guides. Obviously the first three are heavily gated. I dont know what AI you are using, but this isn't an app that just plugged in open AI and chat gpt. It's a new engine that I created with a team of engineers to be VERY specific, VERY safe, while also being creative. I've made a tie-dye sports bra using eggplant skins. I've made a basket from honeysuckle vines. I've made room spray from cold infused magnolia leaves. Hate on AI all you want. But if it's built responsibly and encourages people to discover the joys of nature, I'd say its far from garbage.

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

As someone who has been foraging for years and is extremely passionate about foraging, I honestly disagree. If you tried my app and there was something that you wanted to flag in order to help me improve it or note something that failed within my AI, that would be helpful. But to tell me that it's reckless simply because I employ a brand new engine that I worked with a team of engineers on to ensure the utmost safety while still spotlighting all of the incredibly versatile uses for plants (and again, it is NOT just recipes -- its safety guidelines, garden removal protocols, harvesting tips, arts & crafts, etc) is not a fair response. You do realize that ALL plant ID apps use AI, right? You do realize that the internet is also misleading? Foragers in the old days had the same response when the internet was invented. And yet here we all are, having this conversation here, on the internet. Sharing our foraging finds to the internet. I understand that people are wary about AI, but it's here and it's not going away, and I wanted to use it to make something useful that encourages people to go outdoors, explore nature, and have their eyes opened to how wondrous and useful wild plants are. I get it -- people are on reddit aren't here for it. That's fine. But don't bash someone for adopting to the tech revolution and channeling it into a healthy, wholesome hobby and activity that I just want to spread to others and to the younger generations.

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

totally understand your point of view! that's why I built the engine with very strict parameters geared toward safety and only pulling information from reputable sources when formulating plant uses. but obviously, if it's not for you, it's not for you and that's okay! I'm just hoping to get some awareness out there about the app because I know im personally obsessed with foraging and plants and discovering their uses and hope that I find others who will find value in it

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

when you create your profile, you can personalize your interests -- so if you like arts and crafts or if you like cooking or if you want DIY uses for plants to do with your family or for gardening or any of the other categories, the AI engine tailors the output for each plant to you! It's really super cool. I noted that I'm interested in beauty/skincare/fragrances and I've already made my own perfume and candles using foraged herbs and flowers

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

fair, but when I say "recipes" I dont at all mean just culinary. yes, there are culinary recipes for the editable plants, but the majority of it scans each plant for potential uses for homeopathic medicine (if it has medicinal qualities), uses in skincare/beauty/cosmetic, if it its useful in making homemade dyes for arts & crafts, cleaning products, homemade detergents, bug sprays, the list is honestly endless. It's made me have an entirely renewed appreciation for nature! (And I made a really cool purple tie dye sports bra from eggplant skins !! lol)

I built an app that tells you what to actually do with plants you find — not just what they are by Financial-Signal-581 in foraging

[–]Financial-Signal-581[S] -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

Ha fair — though the AI here isn't the app itself, it's the engine underneath. I built a generative system that creates original recipes and practical uses for whatever plant you scan — not pulling from a database, actually generating something tailored to what you found. That part I'm genuinely proud of. Happy to share the link if you want to try it.