Freakonomics – 554. Can A.I. Take a Joke?

Intro

In this episode of the Freakonomics podcast, Adam Davidson, co-creator of NPR’s Planet Money, guest hosts a 3-part series on how to think about artificial intelligence (AI). The main question explored is whether AI is just the latest technological advancement or a new kind of thing. The episode delves into the challenges and potential of AI, particularly in the realm of humor and creativity. It also discusses the impact of AI on the writing industry and the ongoing debate about its use and potential consequences.

Main Takeaways

AI and its Uncertain Future

• The extreme ways people talk about AI can be overwhelming, from being an existential threat to humanity to ushering in a new age of eliminating disease and poverty.
• The current generation of AI is more mundane than existential threats and complete transformation.
• The main thing about AI is that nobody knows where it is heading, which leads to a wide range of predictions.

The Challenge of Humor for AI

• Humor is a challenge for AI because it requires understanding people and emotions, which do not come naturally to computers.
• AI-generated punchlines struggle to be funny or make sense, similar to human writers.
• Lydia Chilton and her team successfully got a computer to generate a joke by focusing on the American Voices section of the Onion, which has thousands of jokes with the same structure.

The Impact of AI on the Writing Industry

• Michael Shore, a TV comedy writer and producer, is averse to using AI for fear of contributing to its advancement.
• The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is striking to prevent studio executives from using AI to supplant writers as the creator of new ideas for TV shows and movies.
• AI could accidentally stumble into something that might look enough like a genuine human idea that people wouldn’t really care one way or the other.

The Economics of AI and Creativity

• The best way to understand the economics of AI is to think of it as a process that reduces the cost of prediction.
• Writing can be decomposed into a prompt, physical writing, and sign off, with the important part being the prompt and sign off.
• AI that is good at writing can be a solution for people who struggle with communication.

Competition and Creativity

• Online logo design competitions are a natural experiment for studying how competition affects creative production.
• Crowded competitions actually discourage effort and might drive designers to stop participating.
• There’s a magical Goldilocks zone where there’s just enough competition to get the largest number of people to step up and do more creative work.

Summary

The Uncertain Future of AI

While AI is often discussed in extreme terms, the reality of its current generation is more mundane. Nobody knows for sure where AI is heading, which leads to a wide range of predictions. It is important to approach AI with an open mind and be involved in shaping its use.

The Challenge of Humor for AI

Humor is a complex aspect of human communication that poses challenges for AI. Understanding people and emotions, which are essential for humor, does not come naturally to computers. However, researchers have made progress in getting AI to generate jokes by focusing on structures and patterns found in existing humor sources.

The Impact of AI on the Writing Industry

The use of AI in the writing industry raises ethical and professional concerns. Some writers, like Michael Shore, fear that AI will diminish the role of human writers and contribute to the advancement of AI. The Writers Guild of America is actively fighting to protect the role of writers and ensure that AI does not supplant them as the creators of new ideas for TV shows and movies.

The Economics of AI and Creativity

AI has the potential to reduce the cost of prediction, making it a valuable tool in various industries, including writing. AI can assist individuals who struggle with communication by generating content based on prompts. However, the role of human creativity and the importance of the prompt and sign off in the writing process should not be underestimated.

Competition and Creativity

Online logo design competitions provide insights into how competition affects creative production. While some level of competition can stimulate creativity, overcrowded competitions may discourage effort and participation. Finding the right balance is crucial to foster creative work.

Conclusion

AI presents both opportunities and challenges in various fields, including humor, writing, and creativity. Understanding the limitations and potential of AI is essential for individuals and industries to navigate its impact effectively. The ongoing debate about the role of AI in the writing industry highlights the need for ethical considerations and the preservation of human creativity. Part two of the series will further explore the implications of AI and address questions about its impact on jobs and how individuals can adapt.