Computational Linguistics Professor Featured in Article About A.I.-Created Humor

Dr. Christian Hempelmann, professor of computational linguistics at East Texas A&M University, was recently featured in an article by Undark Magazine discussing the science behind humor and whether artificial intelligence (A.I.) could truly be humorous. Hempelmann, who has taught at East Texas A&M in the Department of Literature and Languages since 2012, was quoted at length on his thoughts on A.I.’s potential for humor.

He stated that though AI can be prompted to craft a joke, it will never wield humor to get out of a scrape or explore possibilities. Hempelmann views this as a significant obstacle between telling jokes and achieving genuine humor. The article has also been shared by Smithsonian Magazine.

Hempelmann’s credentials on the science behind humor are substantial. His recent research publications include “Computational Humor Models and Applications,” “Semantic Components of Laughter Behavior…” and “The Predictable Semiotic Essence of Humor.” Hempelmann's most recent consultative role dealing with computational humor in the private sector was at Amazon in the summer of 2022.

In addition to his teaching duties, Hempelmann also directs the university’s Semantic Artificial Intelligence and Creativity Laboratory as well as its A.I. Initiative. He holds degrees from Leibniz Universität in Germany, Youngstown State University and Purdue University. Hempelmann has also served as the editor-in-chief of Humor, the International Journal of Humor Research, since 2021.

Read the full Undark Magazine article.