Have you heard that the company responsible for Oreo cookies is harnessing the power of machine learning to craft new flavors? According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Mondelez, the maker of beloved snacks like Oreos and Chips Ahoy, has introduced an AI-driven tool designed to innovate flavor profiles for its products.

This cutting-edge machine learning tool has already been applied to over 70 of Mondelez’s items, leading to memorable creations such as the “Gluten Free Golden Oreo” and a revamped Chips Ahoy recipe. Developed in collaboration with the software consulting firm Fourkind, the tool focuses on optimizing sensory aspects like aroma and taste attributes, including descriptors like “buttery,” “in-mouth saltiness,” and “vanilla intensity.”

Even though machines lack taste buds and olfactory senses, Mondelez still relies on human taste testers to verify the quality of the flavors generated by their AI. Kevin Wallenstein, the manager for biscuit modeling in research and development, highlighted the meticulous nature of the taste-testing process, describing it as quite rigorous.

The flavor discovery tool has been under development since 2019, utilizing a wealth of historical recipe and ingredient data to inspire new flavor creations. In its early stages, the AI occasionally proposed impractical combinations, like cookies with an overabundance of baking soda. However, by integrating the insights of human “brand stewards” into the process, Mondelez has fine-tuned its machine-learning tool to generate more realistic and appealing flavor suggestions.

This innovative application of AI within the food industry illustrates the exciting ways technology can be utilized to advance product development. It offers a fascinating look at how artificial intelligence is influencing the future of flavor innovation.