Neil deGrasse Tyson Declares A.I. Not a Threat to Comedians

UPDATE: Renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has reassured comedians that artificial intelligence is not a looming threat to their careers. Speaking in New York City today, Tyson emphasized that A.I. lacks the humor and emotional depth necessary to replicate the craft of comedy anytime soon.

Tyson’s comments come amid rising concerns among creatives about the impact of A.I. on their jobs. He stated, “A.I. is a soulless entity that doesn’t understand what it’s saying,” highlighting a significant barrier for A.I. in crafting impactful jokes. During the discussion, he revealed, “I’ve asked A.I. to give me some good jokes… they were on a bad dad-joke level,” underscoring the limitations of current technology in the realm of humor.

Tyson also reflected on the broader societal implications of automation, contrasting the current panic among artists with the silence of creative professionals when factory jobs were lost to robotics. “The creative artists didn’t think about it or care, because they weren’t on the assembly line,” he noted, questioning the lack of sympathy for those affected by job losses in other sectors.

In a light-hearted moment, Tyson proposed that A.I. might excel in fields like therapy, joking that “there’s a whole new branch of therapy necessary to accommodate the people falling in love with their A.I. chatbots.”

Fans of Tyson can explore more insights in his latest book, “Just Visiting This Planet,” which is now available.

As the debate over A.I.’s role in the creative industry continues, Tyson’s remarks underscore the ongoing challenges faced by technology in mimicking the human experience. Comedians can breathe easier for now, but the evolving landscape of A.I. remains a topic worth monitoring closely.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.