Probably no one was wondering what Coke might taste like in just over 976 years' time, but The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has attempted to provide the answer anyway.
That, or the marketing team has decided that the company needed to jump on the artificial intelligence bandwagon somehow.
Either way, today heralds the launch of a drink purportedly co-created by both humans and artificial intelligence (AI), a "futuristic and optimistic" fizzy drink apparently designed around "what the future might taste like".
Specifically, how will a slurp of Coke taste in the year 3000?
Canned in a "light-toned color palette [that] gives a futuristic feel", Coca‑Cola Y3000 Zero Sugar and a full-sugar version have attempted to translate the emotion of "hope for the future" or "nostalgic longing" into a tangible flavour.
More specifically, the launch information touts the collaborative effort between human emotion, aspirations and even colours to conjure up this newest taste.
"The role of every drop is to leverage the latest, most advanced technologies and cultural trends to create novel experiences,” says Oana Vlad, a senior strategy director, adding that this is one of several “fantasy flavored” creations that have “created new pathways to deepen our engagement with existing fans and those who may not have considered the brand before”.
But wait, there's more and a QR code is of course involved, with the brand suggesting that, having slaked your thirst, drinkers can access an online Y3000 AI Cam to "envision what their current reality could look like in the future".