How humorous is AI? Exploring ChatGPT's role in humor generation and human-AI interaction

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence has raised important questions about its ability to replicate nuanced human cognitive functions -- particularly humor generation. This research investigates GPT-4o, an advanced language model, focusing on its capacity to generate humor, how it compares to human-generated humor, and its potential applications in human-AI interaction. The main variables include humor generation, coping, strategy, and interpersonal conflict. We hypothesize that GPT-4o outperforms humans in humor generation and can help individuals manage interpersonal conflicts by effectively using humor, based on a theoretical framework that integrates humor theory and human-AI interaction models. Drawing on data from a racially diverse sample from the U.S. the research employs experimental methods across four studies. Study 1 compares GPT-4o and human humor generation using textual and visual prompts. Study 2 examines how social context (positive vs. negative) influences humor coping strategies in both AI and human responses. Study 3 identifies the most effective humor types in negative social contexts. Study 4 explores GPT-4o's role in managing interpersonal conflict through humor in human-AI interaction. Findings reveal that GPT-4o excels in generating sentence-based humor, particularly in response to negative social contexts, and outperforms humans in humor coping strategies. In response to negative contexts, both humans and GPT-4o identify self-enhancing humor as the most effective strategy. Furthermore, GPT-4o demonstrates effectiveness in conflict resolution, as evidenced by positive feedback from both humor senders and recipients. These results offer theoretical and practical insights into AI's emerging role in emotional support, stress reduction, and socially sensitive communication. • GPT-4o outperforms humans in text-based humor but not image-based humor. • GPT-4o generates better humor than humans, especially in negative situations. • Self-enhancing humor is the most effective strategy for both GPT-4o and humans. • Senders and recipients rated GPT-4o's humor funniest, most effective and likable.