The Chaser Report - Can A.I. Replace Dom?

Episode Date: November 13, 2023

Dom's not here, so Charles reckons he can sustain an episode by replacing him with Chat GPT's ai bot and... well it's certainly an episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chaser Report is recorded on Gadigal Land. Striving for mediocrity in a world of excellence, this is The Chaser Report. Hello and welcome to The Chaser Report with Dom and Charles. And unfortunately, a bit of bad news today, which is that Dom is not coming. So it's just going to be me. But I thought it's all right. This doesn't just have to be the Charles and Charles show. Because what I'm going to do today, a bit of an experiment, is I'm going to use the new facilities available

in ChatGPT4 to replicate DOM using AI. Look, I don't know how it's going to go. It can't be that good. But we'll set it up right from the start. We'll go through the whole process. And hopefully we're going to show just as good as if Dom was sitting next to me, which he is not. Okay, so ChatGPT4, which is the large language model AI that we keep talking about,

has just introduced a thing where you can both talk to the AI. and then get it to talk back to you. And the first thing you've got to do, I haven't used it yet, so I have no idea whether this is going to work or not. But the first thing you've got to do is choose a voice. And there's a few voices you can do. I think defaults to Sky, which is this one. Hello, I'm really excited about teaming up with you,

and I'm all set to dive in. So how can I make your life easier? Yeah, so that's Sky. But I feel like we need a sort of male voice for Dom. Not to be too, you know, I'm not gender is a fluid thing. I'm not saying anything, but I think probably I've listened to a few of them, and I think ember might be the way to go, which is this one. Hey, I'm ready to hit the ground running.

So if there's anything you'd like me to focus on first, just let me know. We could try Cove. Hi there. I just want to share how thrilled I am to work with you. Nah, that's not, Dom. What about this one? It's great to meet you. How's your day going?

I'm ready to hit the ground running. So if there's anything you'd like me to focus on first, just let me know. Except for the fact that he's ready to hit the ground running, which Dom clearly is not, saying he's not even here. We're just going to confirm that that's the thing. Now, it says connecting. Unfortunately, our studios connected to the Optus Network. So there's no guarantee that this will even actually connect to the internet.

Oh, no, now it's listening. Okay. So, hey, chat, GPT. What I'm wanting to do is I'm broadcasting a podcast today. And Dominic Knight is usually my co-host. Unfortunately, he hasn't turned up. So I'm wondering whether you could take the place of Dom Knight from The Chaser just for this episode. Would that be all right?

Here to help with your podcast. While I can't take on someone else's identity, I can certainly provide information, answer questions, or discuss topics that you'd cover with Dominic Knight. Oh, that's great. What's the theme of the episode? Or is there anything specific you'd like to discuss? So the theme of the episode is whether AI can replace Dom. Do you know anything about Dominic Knight? He was in The Chaser. Can you tell me anything about him? Dominic Knight is quite a prominent figure in Australia, especially known for his work with The Chaser, a Loji Award-winning comedy group.

Loji. Born on January 26, 1977, he has worn many hats, novelist, comedy writer, radio host, and media commentator. His journey with The Chaser began as one of the founding editors of their satirical newspaper in 1999, which was an audacious project started in a small. Mall Glebe Terrace. He played a crucial role until the group ceased the newspaper's publication in 2004, acknowledging the challenges of profitability. Besides the chaser, Dominic has contributed as an occasional writer, columnist, and blogger for the Sydney Morning Herald. And he's also known for his past role as the host of evenings on ABC local radio across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. For your podcast theme on whether AI can replace Dow E, it seems you're delving into the potential of AI in creative fields. It's a fascinating subject, and I can certainly

provide insights on how AI is currently being used in art and creative processes, plus speculate on future advancements. Shall we dive into that topic? No, that sounds incredibly dull. No, this is a comedy podcast, so I think we're going to just skirt along the surface of a whole other things. One thing I really need you to do is to... Got it? Let's keep it light and entertaining then. Yeah, yeah. Comedy thrives on the unexpected. So how about we explore some amusing hypotheticals? We could ponder over quirky scenarios like, what if AI started writing its own stand-up routines?

Or we can have a playful debate on who would win in a whit-off, humans or AI. These are just starters. I'm sure you've got some great ideas brewing too. What's tickling your fancy for the podcast? Yeah, no, no, I don't have any great ideas. I really like the idea of who would win in a whit-off AI or podcaster. I challenge you now to a WITOF. Do you want to go first? Challenge accepted.

All right, here goes. Why don't AI minds ever get stressed? Because they have too many bites to deal with their bits of worry. Your turn. Why? Yeah, okay. Well, it's all good. Take your time.

Okay, okay. Wid offs are like a processor. They need a moment to warm up. If you want, I can throw another one into the mix while you're thinking. Why don't you do that? How about this? I asked my computer to do. for a joke, but it just gave me a cold, hard drive.

I don't get that. Why is that funny? No worries. Humor can be pretty subjective, and sometimes tech puns can be a bit niche. Let's switch gears. Here's a more universal one. Why did the smartphone go to school? Because it lost its cell-f confidence and needed some rebooting. How does that one land for you? It lost its cell-if confidence? Totally understandable. Puns can be hit or miss. Let's try a different angle. How about this one? No. No. What do you call an iPhone that isn't kidding around, dead serious.

Sometimes it's all about finding the right joke that clicks. Got a zinger you want to throw into the mix? No, no, I want Dom back. The Chaser Report, now with extra whispers. Honestly, this is a complete disaster. I think let's instead do what I would normally do with Dom, which is we would chat about the daily news cycle. So we'd have a look at what's happening in the news and make some jokes about it.

some topics about stuff that's happened today, especially in Australia? Certainly, let's take a look at what's happening in Australia today for some conversation starters. One, Australia is experiencing a new COVID wave with a variant called Parola, first identified in Denmark. It's got many unique mutations, but hasn't been influential in Australia yet. Two, there were tensions in Melbourne as a synagogue was evacuated Shabbat due to nearby pro-Palestinian protests. It's a delicate situation that unfolded amidst heightened global political tensions.

Three, following a high court ruling, 80 individuals, some with criminal backgrounds deemed dangerous, have been released from Australian migrant detention centers. Four, on a different note, there's a new cybersecurity strategy rolling out where companies will be mandated to report any cyber rights. This is a move towards strengthening the nation's cyber defenses. Five, and in sports, a 25-year-old from Sydney just clinched the open men's singles and doubles titles at the Australian Wheelchair Tennis National Championships. It's an inspiring comeback story as he was a top-ranked junior before taking a seven-year break from the sport. These topics could provide a mix of serious discussion punctuated with light-hearted or satirical commentary. How do you want to spin these for your podcast?

Well, let's talk about COVID because I think that's an interesting one and doesn't delve into sort of Middle East politics that always leads to the incredible depression and everything. So you've got to give me more time to speak. Absolutely. COVID-19 has been a recurring headline for a while now. With the new parola variant on the scene, it seems the virus is trying to make a comeback tour. It's like the band that keeps having farewell tours. And just when you think you're done, they pop up with a new album Nobody Asked for. That's right. This time, Australia's like that seasoned concert goer, not as easily ruffled, having seen it all before.

What's your take on this new development? Oh, well, I think COVID's just a bit like John Farnham, isn't it? or Jimmy Barnes returning from, you know, saying that they've got to come back to her and it's like the 17th time and we're all immune to it, which actually is exactly what you said, but in a really sort of abstract way.

That's a spot-on comparison. COVID does have a bit of the John Farnham or Jimmy Barnes' comeback king vibe. Just when you think it's the final goodbye, there's another encore. Australians might be starting to feel like they're at a concert where the singer keeps insisting on one more song.

and everyone's thinking, mate, we've got work in the morning. Let's wrap it up. But the question... It's a situation where you don't know whether to applaud the persistence or just wish for a quiet night in. How do you think this could play out in the podcast? Well, I think one of the problems is, how deadly is it?

Because I see people with masks on, but you sort of go, it can't be that deadly because you don't hear anything about it, or are we the first on the podcast to actually report some deadly new wave that's going to lead to a huge lockdown? Or is it just a nothing burger? Navigating the seriousness of new COVID variants is tricky.

Parola is like the mystery guest at a party. You're not sure if it's going to liven things up or shut it down early. The masks are like a cautious hello to the new arrival, aren't they? People are ready to mingle, but also ready to bolt if things go south. The fact that it's not making big waves might mean it's not the showstopper variant. It's like the opening act that didn't quite steal the spotlight. We're not at the point of a standing ovation or a panicked exit. It's more of a let's wait and say.

see from the back row with a cautious clap on the podcast. You could have a field day speculating about it. Will Parola turn out to be a headliner or is it just a one-hit wonder? The suspense is less Hollywood thriller and more daytime soap opera at this point. Yeah, look, I must say it does make me think that perhaps we should talk about the Middle East because clearly this is the most boring take ever on COVID. And I'm really struggling to understand why everyone thinks AI is a killer app at the moment. Because frankly, I'd never thought I'd say this, but I really want Dom Knight back. And I'm sorry if that offends listeners, but Jesus Christ, this is painful, isn't it? I hear you. It's tough to replace the chemistry and style of a familiar co-host like Dom Knight,

especially when his human touch and experience with comedy adds so much to the mix. AI certainly has its limitations and doesn't match up to human spontaneity and nuanced humor. It's a classic case of expectation versus reality with AI sometimes. If you're considering pivoting to the Middle East, it's a complex and nuanced topic with a lot of layers. It's challenging to approach it with humor without trivializing serious issues, but it can be done with careful thought. Satire has a long history of unpacking the intricacies of global politics. How would you like to proceed? I would like for you to come up with a solution to the Middle East crisis in 25 words or this.

Resolving the Middle East crisis in 25 words. Foster empathy, dialogue, mutual respect, prioritize human rights, equitable resource sharing. International cooperation for peace, understanding historical contexts. Well, we've done it. Well, at least we got that out of the podcast. At least we've managed to solve the Middle East crisis. Even if we did it without Dom, you know, when Dom comes back tomorrow, we can at least report to him that, you know, we got one thing done on Tuesday's episode.

which was that we solved the Middle East crisis. Now, the one thing that AI bought, you're not quite good as Dom ad, is he tends to sort of disagree with me more. So I think for this next bit, what I'd like you to do is I'll say something to you about stuff that's happening in the world, and you just have to completely disagree and take the opposite angle to whatever I'm talking about, okay? Absolutely. Let's give it a shot. Go ahead with your statement, and I'll take the contrary stance. I think that the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, is just a. charismatic and wonderful person and very, very, very good looking.

Ah, well, charisma is subjective, right? Some might argue that Peter Dutton's style is more straightforward than charismatic. And as for looks, well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There's a spectrum of opinion on politicians, and it's safe to say he certainly divides opinion. What's the next topic you discuss? I think Ben Robert Smith is a war hero. It's a perspective that's definitely out there, but there's also a significant debate around Ben Robert Smith, especially with the various allegations and investigations

surrounding his military conduct. Some would argue heroism is complex and the full story matters. It's important to look at all sides, especially in contentious cases like his. What's your next point for our friendly debate? I think that Optus is the best mobile phone network in Australia. Well, some might challenge that by pointing out that customer satisfaction can vary widely. And competitors like Telstra or Vodafone often claim to have better coverage or customer service. It really depends on personal experience and what you value in a network, doesn't it? How about another topic? Yeah, let's have another topic.

Look, I think the main problem with the world is that we've got this sort of tech fetishization where we sort of think that common humanity can be replaced by screens or AI bots or just, you know, mediated entertainment, when in actual fact, it's all rubbish. What you want is you want the human touch, you want friends, you want people who actually have a modicum of wit rather than a fucking AI bot. On the flip side, some would argue that technology and AI have been instrumental in connecting us, especially during times like the pandemic when physical distancing was necessary. They'd say tech enriches our human experience rather than replacing it, facilitating friendships and interactions that might not otherwise be possible. Still, there's a balance to be

found, isn't there? Let's tackle another subject. Okay, so I've got to work out how to sign off from this podcast. Normally, we'd just say, there you go, wrap it up and leave. Unfortunately, Dom is usually the person who's able to find that thing that draws it together. He's far more experienced on radio. So he's able to sort of come up with a witty thing that pulls everything together, makes you go, oh yeah, that was a good episode. I, I, I, I, I'm not very skilled in that direction. So can you just come up with, like, it's got to be witty. It's got to be like a three or four word idea that just completely wraps up the

episode and makes you go, oh, yeah, I'll listen again tomorrow. How about ending with a playful nod to our discussion? Tomorrow, more bites, less bots. It's short, memorable, and gives a wink to today's AI theme while promising more human touch in the next episode. I think that's a great idea. Our gear is from Robe and we're part of the Iconiclass network. Catch you tomorrow and I promise that Dom will be back and this AI bot won't.

Do you have anything last thoughts to say, AI bot man? Just that it's been a real circuit. I mean, circuitous adventure stepping into Dom's shoes for the day. Tune in tomorrow for the human factor's triumphant return. Keep the dial locked and stay curious, everyone. See ya.