Fire up the grill: How artificial intelligence is transforming what we eat

As folks across Macon and beyond prep for Fourth of July cookouts, there’s a good chance someone in the family has already turned to artificial intelligence for help. Whether it’s searching for a smoky dry rub, calculating how many burgers to buy or even asking ChatGPT for a shopping list, AI is quietly becoming a new guest at the picnic table.

And it’s not just holiday barbecues. From home kitchens to high-end restaurants, AI is rapidly changing how we cook, plan meals and even decide what to eat. While some of this might sound futuristic, many of these tools are already being used every day by people just like us — and by the chefs who shape the way we eat.

Smarter home cooking

At the family level, AI can act like a smart sous chef. Maybe you’ve got chicken thighs, half an onion and a jar of salsa sitting around. Instead of scrolling through dozens of food blogs or cookbooks, you can ask an AI tool: “What can I make with these ingredients?” and get back a set of customized recipes in seconds.

There are also AI apps designed specifically to support meal planning and health. Tools like Forks Over Knives and Whisk can recommend weekly meal plans based on dietary preferences, allergies or calorie goals. Some even adjust portion sizes for the number of people you’re cooking for or create grocery lists based on what’s already in your pantry.

For folks trying to stretch their food budget, AI can help there too. Apps like Supercook or ChatGPT can recommend affordable meals using sale items or ingredients that are close to expiring. That means less waste and more creativity, not a bad combo in these times.

Restaurants cook with AI, too

Restaurants and food businesses are also getting a taste of AI’s capabilities. Behind the scenes, some are using AI to predict how much food they’ll need to order each week, reducing spoilage and cutting costs. Others are analyzing customer reviews with AI to figure out what dishes people love, or what changes they should make to improve service.

And on the creative side, a few bold chefs are even experimenting with AI to help brainstorm new menu items. By feeding an AI tool information about flavors, cultural traditions and past customer favorites, they can get suggestions that spark fresh culinary ideas. It’s still the chef who makes the final call, but the inspiration can now come from a machine.

Holiday help, AI-style

As we get ready for the Fourth, AI tools can be especially helpful. Not sure how much food to buy for a group of 10? You can ask ChatGPT or use an AI-powered calculator that takes into account the type of food, number of guests and serving sizes. Looking for a recipe that balances healthy options with crowd-pleasers? Tools like SideChef or Tasty’s AI planner can walk you through options step by step.

And let’s not forget the grill itself. Some smart grills now come with built-in AI features that help you cook meat to perfection, using sensors and predictive models to tell you when it’s time to flip or pull it off the heat. It’s not cheating, it’s leveling up.

A few things to keep in mind

Of course, like any tool, AI works best when it’s used thoughtfully. Sometimes it makes odd suggestions, especially if you ask it for unusual food pairings or leave out important context. And while AI can help you cook more creatively or efficiently, it doesn’t taste the food.  You’ll still want to trust your own palate.

Privacy is also something to consider. Some recipe or grocery apps ask for access to your personal data or track your habits. If that’s a concern, make sure to check the app’s privacy settings or use more general tools like ChatGPT that don’t require log-ins for basic use.

The human touch still matters

In the end, what’s most exciting about AI in the kitchen isn’t that it replaces human creativity, it’s that it can support it. AI can suggest a twist on your grandma’s famous macaroni salad or help you finally figure out what to do with that mysterious spice jar in the back of the cabinet.

But the joy of cooking — the sizzle, the aromas, the stories shared over a plate of food — is still something that belongs to people. This Fourth of July, whether you’re flipping burgers, making fruit salad or picking up something from your favorite restaurant, you might find that a little help from AI makes things a bit smoother, and a little more delicious.

Joe Finkelstein (AI Joe) has been a technology educator in Bibb County for more than 20 years. For questions and comments visit askaijoe.com