New York Times tests private AI recipe customisation for subscribers

The New York Times is testing an AI tool in its Cooking app that lets subscribers adapt recipes to their needs. It can suggest ingredient and equipment substitutions, adjust serving sizes and account for differences in cooking tools, while keeping customised recipes private.

The feature is gradually rolling out and is currently available to all Cooking subscribers on iOS, with wider availability expected soon. The test has drawn criticism from some readers over AI’s environmental impact and its effect on the app; the tool is optional, but users cannot currently disable it. The Times says it has used AI for measurement conversions and serving-size changes in the past, and that readers are already trying the new feature.