“Why did the politician bring a ladder to the debate? To make sure he could reach new heights with his promises!”—an example of a political joke generated by AI.
While it may not be stage-ready, AI is finding its place in the comedy world. Comedians like Anesti Danelis are increasingly experimenting with AI tools to write scripts and brainstorm ideas. Earlier this year, the Canadian comedian used ChatGPT to help create a show, which he has been performing at events like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
In an interview with the BBC, Danelis shared how he used AI to generate content for his show, “Artificially Intelligent.” Despite some less-than-stellar jokes, he found the technology helpful for brainstorming and structuring his performance. He was particularly surprised by the AI’s ability to suggest a running order for the show, explaining the placement of each segment with surprising clarity.
While AI contributed significantly to the script, Danelis’s show still relies heavily on his delivery. He combines musical performances with audience interaction, including serenading a spectator with a ChatGPT-written song.
A recent study from the University of Southern California suggested that AI-generated jokes can outperform human-crafted ones, though some, like comedian Bethany, remain skeptical. She believes that audiences can still detect the lack of a human touch in AI-generated content, though she acknowledges that this may change as the technology advances.
The comedy industry is booming, with the US stand-up market nearly tripling in value over the past decade. In 2023, US comedy ticket sales reached $900 million, and live comedy in the UK is now worth over £1 billion annually, contributing to both ticket sales and the broader economy. As AI continues to evolve, its role in this growing industry will be one to watch.
