Doughnut compute: A cookbook by Watson, IBM’s AI machine

By Krystle Vermes April 9, 2015

IBM Watson Chef ICE Cookbook — IBM/ICE

Watson, IBM’s artificial intelligence machine, has come a long way since its win on Jeopardy! IBM and Watson have teamed up with the Institute of Culinary Education to create the first-ever cookbook co-created by algorithms. Cognitive Cooking with Chef Watson will officially go on sale April 14, according to CNN Money.

When looking to go beyond answering questions to making something new, Lav Varshney, an IBM scientist, came up with the idea for an innovative cooking system. “A cognitive computing system focused on food, he believed, could help chefs explore these fresh flavor combinations and co-create surprising, never-before-seen dishes,” according to the book’s introduction.

Cognitive Cooking with Chef Watson The machine was given a load of data on dishes, so it could learn everything from flavor interactions to food chemical compositions. The machine doesn’t work alone, and a team of technologists and chefs began to create the cookbook once Watson started to suggest various combinations.

Watson put a twist on some common recipes like tomato bruschetta and grilled asparagus. For instance, the computer recommended using Japanese eggplants to create Turkish bruschetta. Some of the recipes have ratings for descriptors such as “surprise,” “pleasantness,” and “synergy.”

More than 65 recipes are included in the cookbook, and there is a possibility that more could be on the way. IBM is also working on a Web-based app for more tech-savvy food enthusiasts. Based on Watson’s platform, it will use algorithms to suggest new dishes. Watson will take what you want and what it knows about taste and chemical compounds to create food combinations. After it has been given your information, it will narrow down its collection of recipes from thousands to 100. Then it will sort them based on your preferences, dietary restraints, and other requirements that you define.

Until the Web app is released, you may want to get your hands on the book. Whether you’re a cooking enthusiast or you don’t know how to boil water, Watson may be your savior. The cookbook will be available on Amazon in hardcover for $22, and you can preorder it now.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Krystle Vermes is a professional writer, blogger and podcaster with a background in both online and print journalism. Her…

Smart Home

How to fix a Yale Assure Lock 2 that won’t connect to Wi-Fi

The Yale Assure Lock 2 Smart Lock Deadbolt keypad being used by someone.

The Yale Assure Lock 2 is one of the best smart locks, as it's available in a variety of formats and makes it easy to keep tabs on your front door when away from home. Much of this functionality is driven by support for Wi-Fi connections on select models, as you can quickly connect the unit to your home network and access all its features via its companion mobile app.

However, some users may notice their Yale Assure Lock 2 appears offline or that it's no longer connected to Wi-Fi. It can be a frustrating issue to deal with, as a lock that's offline won't let you access its best features – meaning you'll want to get it back online as soon as possible.

Deals

Get 50% off these incredible scent diffusers to luxuriate your living space

Hotel Collection scent diffuser with unique oils on sale

An excellent and convenient way to fill your home with luxurious, aromatic scents is to employ a diffuser, an electronic device that turns perfume-like oils into mist and disperses it into the surrounding air, in this case, the air in your living space or home. Hotel Collection is our favorite place to shop for new diffusers, supplies like oils, and other notable accessories. And wouldn't you know it? Right now, they're offering 50% off large diffusers when you use code JUSTFORYOU50 at checkout. That remarkable deal allows you to save half of the biggest diffusers from Hotel Collection, like the Penthouse or the Presidential models. They offer coverage for areas from 1,200 square feet up to 6,000 square feet, which means your entire home will smell splendid. Act soon because the deal will be over before you know it.
Shop Now

Why you should buy a Hotel Collection scent diffuser for your home
You deserve a true sanctuary to come home to. Not just one that is clean and inviting but also smells divine, like the scent of homecooked baking, fresh linens, or . You know, the kind of encapsulating scents befitting of an elegant hotel -- only within the comfort of your home. That's precisely what Hotel Collection diffusers and scents can bring into your livable spaces.

Starting with the diffusers that make it all happen, there are a variety of options, from small, like the Studio Pro Scent Diffuser, which covers up to 600 square feet, to extra-large, like the Double Presidential Scent Diffuser, which covers up to 6,00 square feet. Whatever the size of your home, property, or living space, from condos to mansions, Hotel Collection has you covered.

Smart Home

How to format the microSD card on Tapo security cameras

The Tapo C120 out in the rain.

One of the most compelling features of Tapo products (like the Wire-Free 2K Outdoor Cam and Indoor/Outdoor Cam) is support for local storage. Many Tapo security cameras let you install a microSD card, so you don't have to rely on cloud storage to save all your videos – instead, they're neatly stored right on your camera. Before you can start using local storage, however, you'll need to format your microSD card. Tapo has some pretty strict requirements for how this works, but the process itself is remarkably simple.

Ready to start saving all your video clips locally? Here's how to format the microSD card on your Tapo security camera.