With Utter Self-Seriousness, Maker of Oreos Admits It’s Using AI To Create New Flavors, Even Though Machines Cannot Taste

Did you know that the company behind Oreo cookies has been using machine learning to create new flavors? According to the Wall Street Journal, Mondelez, the company that makes Oreos, Chips Ahoy, and other popular snacks, has developed an AI tool to come up with innovative flavors for its products.

This new machine learning tool has already been used in over 70 of Mondelez’s products, resulting in creations like the “Gluten Free Golden Oreo” and an updated recipe for Chips Ahoy. The tool, developed with the help of software consultant Fourkind, was trained to optimize sensory factors like scent and flavor characteristics such as “buttery,” “in-mouth saltiness,” and “vanilla intensity.”

While machines may not have taste buds or noses, Mondelez still employs human taste testers to ensure the quality of the flavors created by the AI. Kevin Wallenstein, the biscuit modeling research and development manager, emphasized the thoroughness of the taste testing process, noting that it can be quite intense.

The flavor discovery tool has been in development since 2019, using historical recipe and ingredient data to generate new flavors. Initially, the AI would sometimes suggest impractical ideas, such as cookies with excessive baking soda. However, by involving human “brand stewards” in the process, Mondelez has refined its machine-learning tool to produce more viable and appealing flavor options.

This unique use of AI in the food industry showcases the innovative ways in which technology can be leveraged to enhance product development. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of flavor creation.