Comedy and humor are complex and subjective, but according to Google DeepMind researchers, professional comedians agree that “AI is really bad at that.” During a study with twenty comedians at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last August 2023, it was found that using large language models (LLMs) through chatbots posed challenges and ethical concerns in generating funny material.
The study involved a workshop where comedians interacted with popular LLMs like ChatGPT and Bard to create comedy routines. Participants found the AI-generated material dull, boring, and lacking in human elements that make comedy enjoyable. The study highlighted that LLMs could provide outlines and structure but fell short in capturing the nuances and cultural context essential for quality comedy.
Comedians expressed concerns about bias and censorship in the AI-generated material, noting that existing moderation strategies reinforced hegemonic views and erased minority perspectives. The study emphasized the importance of distinguishing between harmful speech and offensive language used in comic resistance and satire, as well as the AI’s struggle in understanding nuances like sarcasm and dark humor.
Furthermore, the limitations of AI in comedy writing extended beyond content generation, as comedians stressed the importance of personal experience, perspective, and understanding of cultural context in crafting engaging narratives. They highlighted the uniquely human traits of nuance, emotion, and subtlety that AI struggles to reproduce.
Thomas Winters, one of the researchers, explained that the complexity of humor and the reliance on human thought understanding make it a significant challenge for AI. While some worry about AI replacing human jobs, given the current limitations of technology, comedians can rest assured that their creative expertise is safe.
In conclusion, the study revealed that AI is ill-equipped to capture the essence of comedy due to its inability to understand nuances, cultural context, and personal experiences essential for humor. Comedians play a crucial role in crafting authentic and engaging narratives that resonate with audiences, showcasing the irreplaceable human touch in the world of comedy.
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