Is Artificial Intelligence Helpful in the Baking Industry?

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence has made its way into many industries, including baking. But is AI truly beneficial for bakers, or is it just another gimmick without real value? Let’s explore what AI is and how it works in the baking world.

What is AI?

In simple terms, AI refers to technologies that try to imitate human intelligence. There are three main types of AI:

• Narrow AI: This type of AI does one specific job really well. Think of virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa, which can help with tasks like setting reminders but can’t do anything beyond what they are programmed for. This Narrow AI can also act as an advanced search & match engine, capable of scanning millions of websites and databases to deliver the most relevant result in a well-shaped form, based on the given prompt.
• General AI: This is a more advanced concept where AI could potentially think and solve problems like a human. However, general AI does not exist yet and remains a theoretical idea.
• Super AI: This refers to an even more advanced form of AI that could exceed human intelligence in every way. Currently, this is purely a speculative concept and raises many ethical questions for the future.

How Does AI Work in Baking?

AI in baking primarily works by analysing vast amounts of recipes and food-making processes available online and producing the results in well-shaped form. When using AI, bakers can type in specific questions or prompts, like “What is the best pizza recipe?” or “How do I make white bread?” The AI then searches through millions of recipes available online to find the closest match.

However, it’s important to understand that this process isn’t about creativity or intelligence in the way a human thinks. Instead, AI acts like a powerful search engine, matching prompts with existing data. The AI doesn’t know about cooking principles, like how proofing time can affect dough, the role of fat in baked good or how to react to changes in flour protein levels. AI started being an interchangeable word for well written software giving the same results.

AI has many flaws like every computer programme. For example, an AI might suggest a pizza recipe that includes unexpected ingredients, like gummy bears, leading to amusing or surprising results.

Is AI Useful for Bakers?

For home bakers, AI can be a fun tool to explore new recipes and ideas, making the baking experience more enjoyable. However, for commercial bakers, relying too heavily on AI poses significant risks. Recipes generated by AI may not consider vital factors that ensure the success of baked goods, like compliance with food regulations or the chemistry of baking.

The downside is that an over-reliance on AI in a professional setting might lead to recipe failures. Therefore, while AI has the potential to assist in the baking process, bakers should treat its suggestions with caution and rely on their expertise and experience.

Conclusion

In summary, AI can be useful, especially for home bakers looking for inspiration, but it should not replace the knowledge and intuition of skilled bakers. It’s a powerful tool, but it must be used carefully to avoid disappointing results in the baking industry. While the journey into AI is exciting, it’s important to remember that in the world of baking, human touch and expertise still matter most.