Comics Accuse Hot AI Fakes of Stealing Their Jokes Word for Word to Push OnlyFans Pages
Comedians George Brett Olson and Julia Jasunas say realistic AI characters on Instagram have performed their stand-up jokes word for word, drawing large audiences while directing viewers towards OnlyFans pages. The cases have raised concerns about creators losing control of their work and audiences mistaking AI accounts for real performers.
Olson identified an account with 300,000 followers, while Jasunas showed one with 250,000; other comedians’ material was also reportedly copied. Both say they received no support from Meta. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri said banning AI content would be impractical, but that the company would look into ways to address accounts copying creators’ work wholesale.
- AI accounts performed comedians’ jokes word for word.
- The accounts had 300,000 and 250,000 followers.
- Instagram says it will look into copied content.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Comedians have a strong case that copying their routines word for word without permission or credit can divert attention and income, mislead audiences and undermine their control over work they created. Platforms should offer practical ways to report such accounts and protect creators while making clear when realistic characters are AI-generated.
The case against
A broad ban on AI-generated content could be impractical and sweep in legitimate parody, commentary or original performances made with AI. Platforms may reasonably favour targeted measures against wholesale copying and deceptive impersonation, while preserving room for new creative uses and avoiding rules that are difficult to apply consistently.