This story was produced by our colleagues at the BBC.

AI in Comedy: A New Frontier?

When Anesti Danelis, a Toronto-based comedian and musician, decided to write a new show, he turned to artificial intelligence for assistance. Using ChatGPT, he crafted a routine that he took to fringe festivals worldwide. Despite some awkward jokes, Danelis found AI useful for brainstorming and organizing his performance.

Audience Reactions

During his performances, Danelis engaged with the audience by serenading them with personalized lyrics generated by ChatGPT. Audience members like Olivia Smith and Bethany Radford appreciated the transparency of using AI in this context. They found it entertaining to see AI being used as a tool rather than a replacement for genuine creativity.

The Business of Laughter

Comedy is a lucrative industry, with ticket sales in the stand-up comedy market nearly tripling over the past decade. Comedians like Viv Ford use AI to test their material, finding that AI’s feedback often contrasts with audience reactions. Ford believes that understanding how to use AI effectively can be a powerful asset.

Authenticity vs. AI

Not all comedians are eager to embrace AI. James Roque, a New Zealander-Filipino comedian, values the human and vulnerable aspects of comedy that AI cannot replicate. He believes that audiences can detect inauthenticity in performances and prefers to rely on his creativity.

As AI continues to evolve, the debate over its role in creative fields like comedy will persist. Can AI truly capture the essence of humor, or will it always lack the human touch?

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