AI influencers under fire for stealing comedians’ jokes

Artificial intelligence-generated influencers are facing criticism for allegedly stealing jokes from real-life comedians and using them to attract millions of social media views. The growing trend has raised concerns about intellectual property theft and the impact of AI on creative professionals.

Los Angeles-based comedian Julia Jasunas is among those affected. An AI-generated blonde personality named Aylen Skye allegedly copied a joke about kissing a roommate that Jasunas had spent years developing and performing.

The experience left the comedian feeling violated, particularly because her material was being used without permission and potentially generating profits for someone else.

Jasunas believes social media companies have the technology and financial resources to prevent such misuse. She has urged major platforms to introduce stricter regulations to protect original creators from AI-generated accounts.

The Aylen Skye account reportedly gained more than 230,000 Instagram followers and even received a Meta verification badge before being removed. However, the account remained active on TikTok, where videos featuring copied comedy routines continued attracting thousands of views.

The account also directed followers towards Fanvue, a subscription-based platform known for hosting adult content from AI-generated personalities. Jasunas expressed particular discomfort over seeing her comedy material being used to promote sexualised AI content.

Other comedians have reported similar experiences. New York-based comedian Olivia Carter has reduced the amount of new material she shares online because she fears AI accounts could copy her jokes and ruin them for live audiences.

One AI-generated video allegedly reproduced her joke about asking out a personal trainer, which she had previously performed on Jimmy Fallon’s television show.

Carter said she was particularly disturbed by the sexualised appearance of the AI personality and the fact that viewers appeared to believe it was a real woman.

California comedian George Brett Olson also criticised the trend after discovering that an AI avatar named Tiffany Sloane had copied his joke, stage outfit and even the setting of his performance.

The account reportedly attracted more than 370,000 followers.

Olson raised the issue with Instagram, prompting platform head Adam Mosseri to respond that completely banning AI creators was impractical. However, he acknowledged that platforms should explore ways to direct more attention towards original content.

Despite the response, Olson remained disappointed, arguing that technology companies were making choices that allowed creators’ work to be exploited.

As AI-generated personalities continue gaining popularity, comedians fear that unchecked copying could damage their careers, reduce opportunities and make it increasingly difficult for original performers to earn recognition and income from their work.