Magic Machine Series – My Book Review

The intent of these books was to see how artificial intelligence (A.I.) dealt with the Bible and with humor. Since A.I. is generated by godless algorithms and computers, the authors sought to see if ChatGPT would treat faith issues with respect, especially in a world where Christianity is coming under increasing attacks and where the architects of A.I. seem to demean religion regularly. Additionally, the authors sought to see if A.I. had a sense of humor and if ChatGPT could generate rib-tickling jokes based on some standard comic memes and on topical and controversial issues in contemporary culture.

The results were surprising with A.I. generally being respectful of religious issues but failing to show a refined sense of humor. The books provide as much insight on artificial intelligence’s “thinking” as much as it does faith and comedy.

Jokes from a Humorless Machine: A Comedic Romp through Artificial Intelligence explores whether AI, specifically ChatGPT, has enough of a sense of humor to create jokes that will tickle the funny bone of contemporary Americans.  Through a series of prompts, the authors asked ChatGPT to develop jokes on classic themes as well as contemporary issues with surprising results, all demonstrating AI’s sense of humor as shaped by its algorithmic woke sensibilities.

Authors Preston Lewis and Harriet Kocher Lewis prompted ChatGPT to develop jokes on themes like knock-knock, yo mama, three fellows enter a bar and the reason the chicken crossed the road.  Then they moved on to more contemporary issues like politics, politicians and gender identify, challenging ChatGPT to find humor in modern culture.  Finally, the authors seek from ChatGPT observations on contemporary culture in the style of several American humorists and more recent comedians.

In the process, the authors not only touched on the history of classic comedic memes but also discover biases in the resulting AI output.  Are the jokes sensitive?  Absolutely!  Are they politically correct?  Without a doubt!  Are the jokes funny?  The reader will decide.

I was first introduced to Ai in late February 2023 at a photography workshop and then at a writer’s meeting. The possibilities were basic at best a mere eleven months ago. I even signed up for ChatGPT and tried it more than once, even with cover letter help.  I have been testing my word prompt skills in Nightcafe to create digital art.

Now, enters Jokes from a Humorless Machine by authors, Preston Lewis and Harriet Lewis. Jokes from a Humorless Machine is about testing the limits of current AI technology. Where inputs are typed in and AI either fills the screen with text or it does not.  The simpler the prompt the more likely you’ll get an answer.

This book is the authors’ results of testing this new tech to create words not written by the authors. It presents what AI will produce vs what AI will not produce. Yet, when AI works it is super scary how accurate it gets someone.

When the authors asked the prompts to develop jokes around foundational themes, ChatGPT gave them plenty or none at all.  One example is the below joke:

“Why did the chicken cross the road? To escape the chicken coop drama.” 

ChatGPT is a humorless machine, yet it did create some gems. And one thing I noticed by reading Jokes is that ChatGPT seems to be sexist. It came up with fifty jokes about men, but not about women. It loves Yo Mama jokes. Yet, its lackluster humor finds that bluebonnets would become bluer with BBQ sauce. Yet, it cannot develop jokes around progressives, Aggies, rednecks, feminists, or jokes about Sarah Palin and Hilary Clinton walking into a bar. At least it nailed Rodney Dangerfield’s tone of voice with “I get no respect…”

Jokes is a worthy quick read to give you insights into what AI tech will do and not do, but most importantly it is evidence of how AI fails at knowing the depth of human emotions.

For humor’s sake here is a bluebonnet drenched in BBQ sauce I created in Nightcafe. Even AI failed at this… HA!

Preston Lewis is the award-winning author of more than 50 novels and nonfiction books as well as numerous articles, short stories and book reviews. He began his career working at four Texas newspapers before moving into higher education communications and marketing at Texas Tech University and Angelo State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Baylor University plus master’s degrees from Ohio State University in journalism and Angelo State in history. Lewis’s honors include two Spur Awards for western novels and articles from Western Writers of America as well as nine Will Rogers Medallion Awards for western humor, novels, short stories and articles.

Harriet Kocher Lewis is a retired physical therapist and academician at Angelo State University, where she co-authored or edited numerous scientific articles or professional presentations. Her other writings include several published meditations for her church. As a member of an American Physical Therapy Association work group, she helped write the advanced level clinical education curriculum for therapists nationally. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology/PT at Baylor University as well as a PT certificate from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Lewis also has a master’s degree from Texas Tech University in health, physical education and recreation with an industrial engineering minor. She is the wife of Preston Lewis, the mother of two and the grandmother of five.

FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,

12/13/23	Hall Ways Blog	Series Spotlight
12/13/23	LSBBT Blog	BONUS Stop
12/14/23	Forgotten Winds	Review Jokes
12/15/23	Book Fidelity	Review Devotionals
12/16/23	The Real World According to Sam	Review Jokes
12/17/23	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review Devotionals
12/18/23	Jennie Reads	Review Jokes
12/19/23	Librariel Book Adventures	Review Devotionals
12/20/23	It’s Not All Gravy	Review Jokes
12/21/23	Rox Burkey Blog	Review Devotionals
12/21/23	The Page Unbound	Review Jokes