There are new AI tools and features coming out every month or even week that are changing how we go about our workflows. But I’m also working with AI to try to enrich other aspects of my life. I’ve set up two projects for my personal life, and while I am in the earliest stages there have already been a few good results.

One project is called “Cooking.” I envision it as a repository for completed recipes eventually, but that isn’t how I’m starting things out. What I did to start was to feed it all of the sauces, herbs, spices, dry ingredients, etc. that I have in my kitchen. This is kept as something like a running inventory list. Also, the last time I went to the Asian grocery store I asked what 2–3 things I should pick up in order to expand what is possible. I haven’t used any of those things yet, but I will. What I have used it for thus far is something like this: I have x, y, and z vegetables and meat to cook tonight; give me recipe ideas. Then it offers three directions, I choose one, and then we quibble about portion sizes based on how much of the main ingredients I have and then I execute as best I can. I’ve already had to insert system instructions to account for a slow oven and the quirks of my stovetop, but with each round of feedback the results improve a little. It’s definitely not to the point of preparing a full menu card to a crazy high standard, but I am using some of those things I bought with grand ideas but never actually used before.

The other project is called “Books and Media.” It is more ambitious and even newer. The goal is to enable content discovery, whether books, podcasts, television shows, music, or movies, beyond what a Netflix or Spotify algorithm will show me. I’m still building out the base content layer, but I’ve already ordered a few books to read in advance of my big summer trip based on a pattern from the data and some AI recommendations. We’ll see how that works out, but it would be really cool if it works out well. I haven’t really used it yet for anything else, but I’ll probably try out some cross-pollination soon. I expect it will take some refinement but I’m hopeful.