NYT Cooking Tests AI Recipe Tweaks, Sparking User Debate

The New York Times is testing an AI-powered feature in its Cooking app that suggests recipe modifications, including ingredient substitutions, equipment swaps, and serving-size adjustments. Announced by senior editor Genevieve Ko on Friday, the tool aims to help home cooks adapt dishes to what they have on hand. But the rollout has stirred controversy among subscribers, some of whom worry that AI might undermine the authority of the Times' carefully tested recipes. The feature is currently in a limited test, and the company says it is gathering feedback. It’s a notable step for a legacy newsroom embracing generative AI in its consumer products, balancing innovation with editorial trust. Whether users embrace AI-assisted cooking or reject it may shape how other publishers integrate similar tools.