TED Talks Daily

The jokes AI won’t tell | Jena Friedman

48 snips
Jul 18, 2025
Jena Friedman, a comedian and screenwriter known for her sharp social commentary, takes the stage to explore the limitations of AI in comedy. She argues that machines might evolve but can never replicate the nuance of human storytelling. With humor, she tackles serious topics like the complexity of the human experience and the implications of AI in entertainment. Through her witty performance, she highlights why robots won't replace comedians, making a compelling case for the irreplaceable nature of human humor.
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ANECDOTE

AI vs. Stand-Up Comedy

  • Jena Friedman shares her skepticism about AI completely replacing stand-up comedians soon.
  • She humorously notes a male robot comedian might appear first, exploiting data mining to fake connection with audiences.
INSIGHT

Gendered AI Fears

  • Female friends are concerned with personal safety, while male friends particularly fear AI and robots.
  • Media like Ex Machina exaggerate fears by portraying sentient sex robots as horror.
INSIGHT

Robot Comic's Privacy Risks

  • Robot comedians could exploit parasocial relationships and invade privacy unlike human comedians.
  • Audiences may accept unethical behavior from robot celebrities because they mimic human likeness well.
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