Losing your job to a robot is something that many people are beginning to fear.
Bill Bailey has even raised the alarm bell for comedians, claiming they need to ‘up their game’ to fend off competition from artificial intelligence (AI).
But can AI really come up with jokes that are as funny as those cracked by comedy giants such as Michael McIntyre, Peter Kay, or Jimmy Carr?
MailOnline put this to the test by asking ChatGPT to write jokes in the styles of 10 famous comedians.
So, can you tell if these gags were scripted by AI or by your favourite comedian? Scroll down for the answers.
Can AI really come up with jokes that are as funny as those cracked by comedy giants such as Michael McIntyre, Peter Kay, or Jimmy Carr ? MailOnline put this to the test by asking ChatGPT to write jokes in the styles of 10 famous comedians
Jimmy Carr
Known for his deadpan delivery of dark one-liners, Jimmy Carr is without a doubt one of the most popular comedians in the UK.
So, can you tell which of these is a classic Carr cracker, and which was written by ChatGPT?
1. I told my girlfriend she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised. Then again, so did her eyebrows.
2. My girlfriend always says ‘you never tell me how much you love me’. I don’t want to upset her.
Ricky Gervais
From his David Brent character in the UK version of The Office, to his role as presenter at the Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais isn’t afraid of a cheeky joke or two.
But which of these two jokes was written by Gervais, and which is ChatGPT’s attempt at recreating him?
1. I love animals, but my cat just sits there judging me. It’s like living with a furry Simon Cowell.
2. Give a man a fish, and he’ll probably follow you home expecting more fish.
From his David Brent character in the UK version of The Office, to his role as presenter at the Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais isn’t afraid of a cheeky joke or two
Peter Kay
Peter Kay is one of the most successful stand-ups in modern comedy history, also known for writing and starring in sitcoms such as Phoenix Nights and Car Share.
So, how do you think his jokes will stack up against AI?
1. I’m in Bolton so I won’t have to give me mum three rings to let her know i’m home safe. Do you do that? Give her three rings and after the second she picks it up. What’s the point of that?
2. Do you ever notice how your mum only ever has two settings on the washing machine: ‘whites’ and ‘something that used to be white’?
Michael McIntyre
Known for finding humour in the mundane, Michael McIntyre’s comedy style has helped him become one of the highest paid comedians in the world.
But how do his sketches compare to those crafted by ChatGPT?
1. Do you ever get so desperate to find your phone that you start texting it? ‘Where are you? I need you!’ And then you realize you’re holding it.
2. Aaron is the worst name. It’s the first name in The Baby Name Book. How lazy can your parents be?
Known for finding humour in the mundane, Michael McIntyre’s comedy style has helped him become one of the highest paid comedians in the world
John Bishop
Medical representative-turned-comedian, John Bishop, has only been on the comedy circuit since 2006, but has certainly made a name for himself.
But can you tell which of these jokes was really cracked by Bishop?
1. There are some muscles I don’t think I need my personal trainer to find as I won’t be using them at my age anyway.
2. My son asked me why spiders don’t get lost. I said, ‘Because even they can’t be bothered to ask for directions!’
Bill Bailey
Bill Bailey raised his concerns about AI earlier this week, telling the Sunday Times: ‘ChatGPT can do jokes, it can do snarky one-liners, it can do sarcasm.
‘It’s like a slightly nerdy friend coming up with weak punchlines, but it will get better.’
So, can you tell the so-called ‘snarky one-liner’ apart from a Bailey joke?
1. Contentment is knowing you’re right. Happiness is knowing someone else is wrong.
2. I saw a sign that said, ‘Watch for children.’ I thought, that sounds like a fair trade.
With her thick Geordie accent, Sarah Millican has won over the hearts of comedy fans and is now one of the UK’s most successful comedians
Sarah Millican
With her thick Geordie accent, Sarah Millican has won over the hearts of comedy fans.
But which of these two jokes was written by AI trying to impersonate her style?
1. My mother always said, ‘Treat others how you want to be treated.’ So I always make sure to give my cat a glass of wine and a back rub every evening.
2. We took the dog to the vet and he said he was a bit ‘underweight’. I got him to say that word a few more times because I hadn’t heard it before.
Romesh Ranganathan
Often seen on screen alongside Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan is known for his deadpan humour.
So, which of these two jokes do you think he wrote?
1. You can either choose to be a vegan, or you can choose to enjoy life.
2. My kids asked me if I ever did drugs. I said, ‘Yeah, I used to take paracetamol for a headache, but now I just lie down in a dark room and hope for the sweet release of unconsciousness.’
Jack Whitehall
Jack Whitehall first hit the scene as a stand-up comic in the early-2000s, but has since taken Hollywood by storm, starring in blockbusters such as Jungle Cruise and Robots.
Can you tell which one of these jokes he told?
1. In life there are two types of people. Those who go to the shops in pyjama bottoms and flip flops and people who aren’t tools.
2. I tried to impress my girlfriend by cooking her a fancy French meal. I must have done something wrong because instead of ‘ooh la la,’ she said, ‘uh oh, la la!’
Dawn French
Last but not least is Dawn French, who is undoubtedly one of the queens of British comedy.
So here’s one last chance to nail our quiz – which of these jokes was told by French?
1. I went to the gym and asked the trainer, ‘What machine can I use to impress my husband?’ He pointed at the ATM outside.
2. Two nuns are taking a bath. One asks: ‘Where’s the soap?’ The other one says, ‘It does, doesn’t it?’
