NYT Cooking tests an AI tool that changes recipes on request

In short: The New York Times is rolling out a new optional AI feature in its NYT Cooking app that can adjust recipes, and it is already causing debate among some users.

What happened

The New York Times is testing an AI-based recipe modification tool inside the NYT Cooking app. AI here means a computer system that can respond to written requests, a bit like a built-in chat helper.

NYT Cooking senior editor Genevieve Ko announced the feature last week. It can suggest ingredient and equipment substitutions, scale a recipe to any number of servings, and adjust instructions so the recipe still works.

One example shared by the company is swapping baby spinach for kale. The tool warns that baby spinach wilts faster, so it should be added later in the cooking process.

The feature can also adapt recipes for different pans and tools. Customized versions are private, and they cannot be published or shared through the app.

The rollout is gradual while the company watches how it performs. According to Ko, it is currently available to all Cooking subscribers using the iOS app, and it will be available more broadly soon.

Some users have pushed back in the comments on the announcement. Concerns include the environmental cost of running AI systems and worries that new AI features will make the app less pleasant to use. When asked if users will be able to disable the AI feature, Ko said no, not at this time, while also saying the tool is optional.

Why it matters

For everyday cooks, this could make recipes easier to fit real life, like swapping ingredients you do not have or resizing dinner for two or for a crowd. At the same time, the reaction shows a growing tension, since some people want useful helpers, while others want apps to stay simple and avoid AI features they did not ask for.

Source: The Verge AI