Key Takeaways
- Whirlpool has laid off its entire Yummly team, signaling a shift away from its connected cooking approach.
- The Yummly app, acquired in 2017, was designed to ease meal planning but is now in question after the layoffs.
- Appliance brands are increasingly turning to generative AI for content creation rather than human-driven editorial efforts.
Whirlpool Restructures Yummly Division
Whirlpool Corporation has announced the layoff of its entire Yummly team, effectively ending the support for the popular cooking app and website. This move raises questions about the future of Yummly, which Whirlpool acquired in 2017 with the intention of enhancing meal planning experiences for consumers.
At the time of acquisition, Whirlpool aimed to offer connected cooking solutions, alleviating the stress of meal preparation by addressing the common question of “What’s for dinner tonight?” To achieve this, the company expanded Yummly’s content team, which included hiring creators to develop a comprehensive recipe catalog complete with cooking guidance. Features like food image recognition and a Yummly-connected thermometer were introduced as part of these enhancements.
However, the recent layoffs reflect a notable downturn in Whirlpool’s focus on human-driven editorial content within cooking applications. The industry is now seeing appliance brands pivot towards generative AI technology to generate content and user interfaces. This shift signifies a growing trend as brands explore the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence in streamlining content creation processes.
Other appliance manufacturers are reportedly experimenting with AI-powered content libraries and consumer interface designs, although results have varied. This innovation comes as brands reassess their smart appliance strategies following the early days of product development.
As the appliance market evolves, it remains uncertain what future plans Whirlpool has for Yummly. The decision to downsize its workforce suggests a significant re-evaluation of its approach to connected cooking technology, which could have lasting implications for how consumers engage with cooking apps and smart appliances moving forward.
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