I built AI Dad Jokes GPT because I wanted a co-writer—someone (or something) I could bounce puns off of, pitch goofy setups to, and spitball punchlines with. Dad jokes felt like the perfect use case. They’re short, formulaic, and rely on wordplay—basically, the bread and butter of large language models.
And while GPT can definitely churn out dad jokes by the dozen, here’s the truth:
Most of them are terrible.
Some are nonsensical. Others are technically jokes, but they just… fall flat. And once in a while, one lands so well I wish I could high-five the algorithm.
That’s what makes it fun.
If you’re curious about using AI Dad Jokes GPT to write your own jokes, here’s what I’ve learned—and how you can make it work for you.
Step 1: Treat It Like a Co-Writer, Not a Comedian
AI isn’t funny on its own. It doesn’t have rhythm, timing, or a point of view. It doesn’t understand the emotional mechanics of a joke. But it’s a great collaborator—fast, tireless, and always game to try again.
Think of it like a brainstorming partner. It’ll give you 10 ideas in 2 seconds. Most won’t be keepers. But a few will spark something. That spark is what you’re after.
Step 2: Start with a Simple Prompt
The easiest way to begin is to give it a topic and ask for a few jokes. Keep the format simple. For example:
Prompt: “Write 5 dad jokes about trees.”
Here’s what I got back:
- I asked the tree how it felt about spring. It said, “I’m feeling re-leafed!”
- My friend tried to start a tree-themed podcast… but it never took root.
- I saw a tree at the gym doing squats—it really wanted to work on its trunk.
- I told the maple it was looking sharp, and it said, “Thanks—I’ve been going out on a limb more lately.”
- Ever try arguing with a tree? Don’t bother—it’s always stumped.
Not bad, right? But let’s take it further.
Step 3: Edit and Shape
Once you’ve got your list, go into editor mode. Here’s how I broke it down:
- Joke 1 had a cute pun but was wordy. I trimmed it to:
How do trees feel when spring arrives? Re-leafed! - Jokes 2 and 3 worked great as-is.
- Joke 4 made no sense to me. Out it went.
- Joke 5 had potential, but the punchline was too familiar. I wanted something with a twist. So I prompted the bot again:
New Prompt: “Write 3 dad jokes about trees involving a lumberjack. Punchline must be ‘Because they’re too easy to stump.’”
This was the best version:
Why don’t lumberjacks ever play 20 Questions with trees?
Because they’re too easy to stump.
Now we’re talking.
Step 4: Iterate (and Sometimes Argue)
If a joke doesn’t land, ask for another version. Try changing the setup, specifying a different tone, or even asking the bot to explain why it thinks the joke is funny. Sometimes its explanation helps you understand what’s broken—and how to fix it.
It’s kind of like pitching jokes to a very confident intern who read a thousand joke books but has never actually told one out loud.
Step 5: Know What Only You Can Bring
Here’s the thing: GPT can write jokes, but it can’t write your jokes. It doesn’t have your voice, your timing, your life experience. That’s where you come in. The best jokes come from taking an okay AI-generated setup and reworking it into something sharper, more personal, or just plain weirder.
That’s the real collaboration. You plus the machine.
Final Thoughts
Writing jokes with AI is a little weird, often delightful, and surprisingly revealing. You learn fast what works, what doesn’t, and what actually makes you laugh. You also get a crash course in editing—because even good jokes need trimming, and with AI, you’ll be trimming a lot.
So if you’re a writer, a parent, a pun-lover, or just someone who enjoys a good groan, give AI Dad Jokes GPT a spin. Use it to warm up your brain, write some quick hits, or generate material to punch up.
Story Machine Studio LLC 