The application of artificial intelligence and analysis to understanding and generating humorous content, such as jokes, puns, and humanly amusing stories is referred to computational humor. These areas of AI development can also be called computational comedy. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the relative oxymoronic ring to computational comedy. Isn’t comedy by its nature instinctive and more closely aligned with reaction than with computation? Maybe I just don’t get it!
But why is this important in AI development? Just think of how nuanced human languages, phrases, and expressions can be when people converse with each other. And if this complexity weren’t enough, add the complexity of hundreds of languages and cultural differences that may perceive humor in a very different way. I am reminded of one of many fantastic lines written for and delivered by Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy. The quote is delivered after Rocket the raccoon says that metaphors will go over Drax’s head. Drax replies: “Nothing goes over my head. My reflexes are too fast. I would catch it.” Now that’s funny. But the literal interpretation of the saying “it will go over his head” is really the correct one without a deeper understanding of language, metaphors, semantics and humor. Who knew that “something going over one’s head” really means that “he won’t get it”? And who knew that saying “he won’t get it” is really saying “he won’t understand it”?
Without the ability of AI to recognize humor and other potential nuances in the use of language, language processing and the interpretation of what is truly being conveyed may lead to potential misunderstandings or worse, a total failure to communicate. That’s not funny.
