The New York Times Tests AI Recipe Modification Tool for Cooking App

The New York Times is currently testing a new artificial intelligence feature within its NYT Cooking app, designed to help users modify recipes based on their specific needs. According to senior editor Genevieve Ko, the tool can recommend ingredient and equipment substitutions, scale recipes to different serving sizes, and adapt cooking instructions.

Genevieve Ko announced the test last Friday, noting that the feature is being rolled out gradually while the publication monitors performance.

Feature Capabilities and Limitations

• Ingredient substitutions, such as suggesting when to add baby spinach instead of kale based on wilting times.
• Adaptation for different pans and cooking tools.
• Portion scaling to any number of servings.
• Customized recipes remain private and cannot be published or shared through the app.

Availability and User Response

The AI modification feature is currently available to all Cooking subscribers on the iOS app, with a broader rollout planned for the future. While some users have reported positive experiences, the feature has also sparked debate and criticism in the comment section.

• Environmental concerns: Readers raised questions regarding the environmental impact of widespread AI adoption.
• User experience: Some subscribers expressed disappointment over the integration of AI tools into the recipe collection.
• Disabling the feature: When asked if the tool could be disabled, Genevieve Ko stated that it cannot be disabled at this time, emphasizing that its use is completely optional.

Official Response on Comments

The comments section on the announcement post has since been closed. NYT spokesperson Jordan Cohen stated that closing comments after four days is standard practice to allow moderators to focus on new discussions. Cohen also noted that the team is pleased with the community's interest and initial feedback from iOS users exploring the tool.

Verification and Practical Implications

Readers and subscribers interested in verifying the availability or functionality of the tool can check their NYT Cooking iOS app for updates. Because the feature is rolling out gradually, access may vary. To share feedback or review official updates, users should consult the official NYT Cooking announcements and support channels.