NYT Cooking App Introduces AI-Powered Recipe Customization

Image: The NYT Cooking app is testing AI recipe modifications · Source

The New York Times Cooking app is testing an AI feature that customizes recipes by suggesting ingredient substitutions, adjusting cooking equipment, and scaling servings, available now for iOS subscribers.

The New York Times is piloting a new artificial intelligence feature in its Cooking app designed to help users personalize recipes more flexibly. Announced by senior editor Genevieve Ko, this AI-driven tool assists cooks by recommending ingredient substitutions, adapting cooking equipment, and scaling recipes to fit any number of servings. For example, when a user requested swapping kale for baby spinach, the AI advised adding the spinach later to prevent it from wilting too quickly. The feature can modify recipes based on different cookware as well, tailoring instructions to individual kitchen setups.

This AI capability is currently accessible to all Cooking app subscribers on iOS, with plans for broader availability forthcoming. Recipes customized with the AI remain private and cannot be shared or published through the app. The New York Times is monitoring user feedback and feature performance as the rollout progresses.

The introduction of AI modifications has sparked debate among the Cooking community. Some users expressed concerns about the environmental implications of AI adoption and potential impacts on the user experience. However, the feature is entirely optional, and there is no current option to disable it once available. Critics lament that the AI integration marks a shift away from the traditional recipe collections cherished by longtime users.

This is not the first AI integration in the Cooking app. Previously, AI was used to convert between imperial and metric measurements, and to allow scaling recipes to half or double their original servings. The Times engaged with users actively for several days post-announcement, addressing questions before closing comments as part of standard moderation procedures.

Overall, the AI feature represents The New York Times’ ongoing efforts to enhance the Cooking app’s flexibility and utility, providing customized cooking assistance while navigating mixed user responses.