Bengaluru Software Professional Alleges Death Threats Over AI-Powered Wedding Buffet Tool
Pankaj's BuffetGPT, an AI tool to optimise wedding buffet choices, went viral but triggered harassment including alleged death threats.
A Bengaluru-based software professional has alleged receiving multiple death threats after his AI-powered tool designed to optimize food choices at Indian wedding buffets went viral on social media. The techie, known online as Pankaj (@the2ndfloorguy on X), created the project called BuffetGPT to address a common frustration among wedding guests: regretting poor dish selections from overflowing buffets.
BuffetGPT functions as an experimental AI agent that uses computer vision to scan and identify dishes on a buffet table. It then generates a personalized "eating game plan," recommending what to eat, what to skip, portion sizes, and the optimal sequence to maximize variety while avoiding overeating or discomfort. Pankaj described Indian wedding buffets as a "scam" in his initial post, noting that guests often leave unhappy after filling up on less desirable items and missing out on favorites. The tool, still in its early alpha stage and tested at a friend's wedding with "decent" results, drew widespread attention for its humorous yet practical approach to a quintessentially Indian problem.
The viral success of Pankaj's post initially brought praise for the innovative idea, with many users appreciating the lighthearted solution to wedding food FOMO (fear of missing out). However, the attention soon turned negative, escalating to intense online backlash. Pankaj shared that he began receiving abusive comments and direct messages, some of which included explicit death threats directed at him and even mentions of his family. He expressed shock at the severity of the reaction, stating that while trolling and mockery were expected, the leap to threats was unwarranted and alarming.
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In a subsequent post, Pankaj highlighted screenshots of the alleged threatening messages, questioning why such hostility emerged over a harmless side project aimed at buffet optimization. He emphasized that the tool was built as a fun, personal solution rather than anything intended to offend cultural traditions or sensitivities around weddings and food. The incident has sparked discussions on social media about online toxicity, the rapid escalation from virality to harassment, and the unexpected risks faced by creators sharing quirky tech ideas.
The Bengaluru techie has not reported the threats to authorities in the available details, but the episode underscores broader challenges in India's vibrant online tech community, where innovative projects can attract disproportionate negativity. BuffetGPT remains a work in progress, with Pankaj focusing on refining the AI's capabilities despite the controversy surrounding its debut.
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