Technology

Computers to Satisfy Food Cravings and Take Over the World

Hopefully won't command you to eat an apple.
Hopefully won’t command you to eat an apple. Photo: Apple

The wizards over at IBM are developing a computer to create healthy recipes that excite taste buds. Now, nobody needs a high-tech device to tell them to eat more kale. The technology is based on the flavor-pairing hypothesis: When foods share key flavor compounds, they go well together. Informed by psychology and information theory, the computer will suggest recipes that incorporate combinations such as blue cheese and dark chocolate, bell peppers and black tea, and turmeric and black currants. The scientists hope that they can use the machine to come up with school lunches that kids actually enjoy. Sit tight; this crazy cognitive computing monster won’t be available until at least 2017. [NPR]

Computers to Satisfy Food Cravings and Take Over the World