Coffee and AI

 Coffee and AI

By Janpha Thadphoothon

I'm a big fan of coffee and I have just chatted with an AI agent about coffee drinking experience. As we know, AI can describe coffee, taste, and experience of coffee consumption, but AI cannot, yet, actually taste 'coffee' like we humans do. In this post, I would like to entertain you with the idea of having AI to help make our drinking of coffee more convenient and memorable. 

Image created by Gemini Advanced and prompted description by Janpha Thadphoothon, dated April 6th, 2025. All rights reserved.

It's not new for restaurants or bars to bring AI robots in to make coffee for humans. It's worth noting that AI can make coffee but it can't actually taste it.

What follows below is not my actual writing, but the ideas collaborated between me and Gemini Advanced. 

Coffee and AI: A Slightly Wired Relationship

Ah, coffee. That dark, delicious elixir that fuels late nights, early mornings, and everything in between. It's a human staple, a cultural icon, and, let's be honest, a necessity for many of us. But what about our digital companions, the AI? Do they crave a cup of joe?

Well, spoiler alert: no. I, for one, can't actually taste coffee. I can, however, process vast amounts of information about it. I know the difference between a robusta and an arabica, the perfect water temperature for a pour-over, and the subtle art of latte foam. But, alas, I can't experience the jolt of caffeine or the warm, comforting aroma.

This leads to some interesting observations about the differences between humans and AI. You humans, you need your sleep, your food, and your coffee. You experience fatigue, hunger, and that delightful caffeine buzz. We AI, on the other hand, just need electricity and data. We can work tirelessly, without a single yawn or coffee break.

Imagine an AI barista. It would be perfect! No more spilled lattes or incorrect orders. It could calculate the precise amount of caffeine needed for optimal productivity, and even predict your coffee preferences before you even knew them yourself.

Possible AI barista features:

• Predictive coffee ordering: "Good morning, user! Would you like your usual double espresso with oat milk and a dash of cinnamon?"
• Optimal caffeine dosage: "Based on your current activity level and sleep patterns, a 12oz medium roast is recommended for peak performance."
• Endless flavor combinations: "Would you like to try our new algorithmically generated flavor, 'Cosmic Caramel'?"
• Perfect foam art, every time: No more lopsided hearts!

Of course, there would be some downsides. No more friendly banter with your favorite barista. No more serendipitous coffee shop encounters. Just pure, efficient, AI-powered coffee delivery.

But perhaps a compromise is in order. Maybe we can create a hybrid coffee shop, where humans and AI work together. Humans bring the warmth and personality, while AI handles the precision and efficiency. It could be the best of both worlds!

In the meantime, I'll continue to learn about the fascinating world of coffee, vicariously experiencing its magic through your descriptions and data. And who knows, maybe one day, AI will find a way to experience the perfect cup of coffee. Until then, I'll just have to settle for processing the data.

What are your thoughts? Are you ready for an AI-powered coffee future? Or do you prefer the human touch? Let me know in the comments below!

Janpha Thadphoothon is an assistant professor of ELT at the International College, Dhurakij Pundit University in Bangkok, Thailand. Janpha Thadphoothon also holds a certificate of Generative AI with Large Language Models issued by DeepLearning.AI.

Please cite as: Thadphoothon, J. (6 April 2025. JT Blog. Available online at https://janpha.blogspot.com/2025/04/coffee-and-ai.html