Cass R. Sunstein, Columnist

Meet the Machines That Know What's Funny

Algorithms can now predict what jokes you'll like. Is there anything they can't do?

October 4, 2016 at 12:00 PM UTC

Cass R. Sunstein is a former Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is the author of “The Cost-Benefit Revolution” and a co-author of “Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness.”

We've come a long way.
Photograph: Folb/Getty Images

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“I’d like to buy a new boomerang please. Also, can you tell me how to throw the old one away?”

Never mind whether you think that joke is funny. Do you think your best friend would like it?