If you've ever wondered what the year 3000 might taste like, Coca-Cola can give you an idea. In a move that feels straight out of a sci-fi novel, the American corporation has unveiled its latest soft drink, the Y3000 Coke, a flavor that's not just a product of human ingenuity but also the brilliance of artificial intelligence.

Now, before you roll your eyes and think this is just another marketing gimmick, finish reading this article first. Coca-Cola isn't just throwing around the term AI for the heck of it. It has genuinely incorporated AI into the creation process by blending human input on what a futuristic drink might taste like with AI's analytical prowess.

To add a cherry on top, Coca-Cola is also offering an interactive experience. By scanning a QR code on the can, Coke fans are transported to a portal that digitizes their photos, giving them a taste (pun intended) of the year 3000. Oana Vlad, Coca-Cola's Senior Director of Global Strategy, discussed the company's latest innovation, stating:

Our ambition for Coca-Cola Creations is to create unexpected and magical moments for our fans. Inspired by the timelessness of Coca-Cola, we want to celebrate everyone's idea of what the future might look like. With the help of AI-powered technology, Coca-Cola Y3000 Zero Sugar imagines how a Coca-Cola from the future could taste and introduces innovative experience to explore the future.

Numerous individuals who've had the opportunity to sample this beverage have attempted to identify the underlying flavor. If you're having a sense of deja vu, a while ago Coca-Cola pulled a similar stunt with a limited run of "pixel flavor" drinks that had a similar reaction.

Impressions have varied, with some suggesting it carries hints of vanilla and raspberry, while others have gone so far as to claim a lingering popcorn aftertaste, which is rather peculiar, especially considering that the Y3000 Coke is meant to represent a glimpse into the flavors of the future. Clearly, the original flavor will continue to dominate even in the distant year 3000.

Here are some other reactions we picked out on X (Twitter):

The Coca-Cola Company has always been known for its innovative approach to ensuring its iconic brand remains relevant. Just last year, it introduced Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Byte, a limited-edition soft drink that was coined as a flavor "born in the metaverse". This novel idea also seemed to take a page from the high-priced virtual reality world, with a single can retailing at $15.

If you want to taste the year 3000, you'll need to be quick because this beverage will only be available in select locations for a limited time. Hopefully that isn't foreshadowing the fate of humanity in the year 3000...