Experiment: AI’s open mic night
Comedy is one of the most inherently human art forms—an intricate dance of timing, relatability, and the occasional groan-worthy pun. But what happens when you take the comedian out of the equation and let artificial intelligence take the mic? We decided to find out.
The Experiment
We wanted to see if artificial intelligence could crack jokes that actually land. So, we set up a “Stand-Up AI” session and gave ChatGPT a shot at the mic. Here’s how it went down.
To test AI’s comedic ability, we started by feeding it various prompts. These included everyday situations, humorous observations, and classic joke setups. We wanted to see if it could generate different styles of humor, so we pushed it to produce puns, one-liners, storytelling jokes, and even attempts at sarcasm.
To evaluate ChatGPT’s comedic chops, we focused on several key criteria. First, we looked at originality—did the jokes feel fresh, or were they just recycled internet humor? Next, we examined structure. A good joke requires a setup and a punchline that land effectively. Lastly, we tested adaptability. Could the AI refine its humor based on audience feedback?
The results: Hits and misses
Punny, but predictable
ChatGPT seems to have an undying love for puns. It churned out a steady stream of dad jokes:
“Why don’t skeletons fight each other? Because they don’t have the guts!”
While amusing, many of these jokes felt like they had been plucked straight from a joke book. They relied heavily on familiar wordplay, which meant they were often predictable rather than laugh-out-loud funny.
Occasionally (kind of) brilliant
Despite its tendency for predictability, ChatGPT produced outputs somewhat more akin to genuine and funny stand up. When asked to describe a disastrous first date, it said:
“I took her to a sushi restaurant, and she said she doesn’t eat raw fish. So, naturally, I offered her my ex’s number—she’s been roasting me for years.”
The joke had an element of surprise, a relatable scenario, and a solid punchline. It worked because it followed the structure of a well-crafted joke: a setup that builds expectations, then a punchline that flips those expectations in an amusing way.
This was one of the moments where the AI’s humor felt sharp, as though it had tapped into an authentic comedic rhythm. Of course, we wondered whether this joke was pulled from an existing source or if it was AI-generated synthesis. Either way, it showed that AI can occasionally deliver humor that approaches being genuinely clever.
Uncanny valley
Where AI struggles most is with comedic timing and subtlety. It doesn’t fully grasp irony, sarcasm, or humor that requires an in-depth understanding of human behavior. Sometimes, it overcomplicates things, making its jokes sound forced. Take this example:
“Why did the banana go to therapy? It was feeling a-peel-ing but had commitment issues.”
While the wordplay is clear, something about it feels unnatural. The joke is trying too hard to layer multiple puns together, making it sound clunky. A human comedian might instinctively know when to keep a joke simple for maximum effect, but AI lacks that instinct. Instead, it often overloads jokes with unnecessary elements that dilute the punchline’s impact.
Timing is also an issue. A well-timed pause, a knowing look, or the delivery style can make or break a joke. AI lacks those performance instincts, so even when it produces a well-structured joke, it can feel flat without the right delivery.
The verdict
At this stage, AI is more of a dad joke generator than a true stand-up comic. It lacks the human experience, spontaneity, and stage presence that make live comedy special. However, as a tool for brainstorming jokes or generating humorous content, it’s actually quite effective.