ABC Radio National Life Matters Interview – Can AI Be Funny?

“An AI and a robot walk into a bar—AI says, ‘I’ll have something strong.’ Robot says, ‘Same—my battery’s at 3%.”

That’s what happened when ChatGPT tried to write a joke.

Simply put … artificial intelligence may be a lot of things … chatbot, digital assistant… but it is not funny.

At least not right now… because an Australian researcher is trying to work out whether AI robots can do stand-up comedy.

Not necessarily write jokes… but deliver a comedy routine that leaves people in stitches.

So, do you think AI could make you laugh?

Guests:

• Dr Robert Walton, Research Fellow, Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, University of Melbourne
• Nicolette Minster, is a comedian and writer