Cookpad, the well-known Japanese recipe platform, has activated a feature that promises to make life easier for home cooks. The tool automatically extracts ingredients and steps from videos or social media posts, generating a structured recipe card. However, the feature, limited to private user use, has sparked criticism among chefs and content creators, who denounce that their work is being used without permission or compensation.
How the automatic recipe extractor works 🍳
Cookpad's tool uses text and image recognition algorithms to analyze videos and posts, identifying ingredients, quantities, and preparation sequences. It then structures the information into a standard recipe card within the app. Although the system does not publish or share the extracted content, the process involves copying data from external sources. The company argues that it is a feature for organizing personal memories, but creators point out that the line between private use and exploitation is not so clear.
Michelin, your stars are no match for an algorithm ⚔️
It turns out that not even having a Michelin star protects your recipe from a bot. Now, any cook with a viral video can see their signature dish broken down into steps by a machine. The most curious thing is that chefs complain that the tool is a free exploitation, precisely those who have made a living selling books with recipes that, in many cases, were their grandmothers'. Digital ethics are complex, but at least no one can claim copyright over how to chop an onion.