The New York Times has introduced an AI-powered tool within its Cooking application designed to assist users with recipe adjustments. This feature allows subscribers to request ingredient substitutions, adapt recipes for different kitchen equipment, and modify serving sizes. For instance, the system can suggest timing changes when swapping kale for baby spinach based on wilting rates.
The tool is currently accessible to all Cooking subscribers using the iOS version of the app. According to senior editor Genevieve Ko, the feature is optional and operates through a chatbot interface. Users cannot publish or share their customized recipe versions through the platform. The company is rolling out the update gradually while monitoring performance.
This implementation follows previous AI integrations by the publisher, including a tool for converting imperial measurements to metric weights introduced two years ago, and a serving size adjustment feature launched last year. While some users expressed concerns regarding the environmental impact of AI and the user experience, the company maintains that the tool is optional.
The publication closed the comments section on the announcement post after four days. Spokesperson Jordan Cohen stated that this is standard practice for the organization to focus moderation efforts on new discussions. The company reports that many subscribers are actively testing the new functionality on iOS and providing positive feedback.
