Can an artificial intelligence system improvise, and if so, where are its limits and where does it surprise us? In the following, I will describe a few experiments with ChatGPT and investigate whether certain abilities, skills, and experiences that I myself have learned as an improvisational actor can be implemented with ChatGPT.
ABC-Game
As a first test, I will take a well-known game from improvisational theater, the so-called ABC game. How it works is quite simple: The first word in each dialogue starts with the next letter in the alphabet. The game continues until the letter “Z” is reached.
That will be the first part. The second part will be to give the characters a goal or emotion. We will check if the system can also implement the emotion and feeling under the constraints of A-to-Z instruction.
Prompt 1: Just a dialogue
Write a dialogue between Anton and Berta. Both are at a folk festival. Each person takes turns saying only one sentence. The first word of the first sentence starts with A. The first word of the second sentence starts with B, and so on. Continue the dialogue until all letters of the alphabet are used.
Anton: "Amazing music, isn't it?"
Berta: "Beautiful indeed, I can't stop dancing."
Anton: "Could you teach me some of those moves?"
Berta: "Definitely, let's dance together!"
Anton: "Everyone seems to be having so much fun."
Berta: "For sure, festivals always bring people together."
Anton: "Great atmosphere, I'm glad we came."
Berta: "How about we grab some food now?"
Anton: "I'm in the mood for some fried chicken."
Berta: "Just what I was thinking, let's go get some!"
Anton: "Kind of crowded around here, isn't it?"
Berta: "Lots of people, but that's part of the fun."
Anton: "Maybe we should take a break and sit down."
Berta: "No problem, there's a bench over there."
Anton: "Oh, I see it. Let's go sit and rest for a bit."
Berta: "Perhaps we can grab some drinks too?"
Anton: "Quick break with drinks sounds like a good idea."
Berta: "Right, what would you like to drink?"
Anton: "Some lemonade would be perfect for me."
Berta: "That sounds refreshing, I'll have the same."
Anton: "Very nice, let's enjoy our drinks and the festival."
Berta: "We should take a photo together to remember this."
Anton: "Xcellent idea, let's ask someone to take our picture."
Berta: "Yes, that would be a great way to end our day."
Anton: "Zealous memories will be with us forever!"
Wow, that’s really impressive! The system was able to complete the task and did a few things very well that are important to improv theatre. For example, the characters really listened to each other and worked together. They even started coming up with activities to do together – like dancing! One character in particular was especially funny (Xcellent idea 😊). It seems like the system has a good sense of humor. If people heard this kind of dialogue at a live event, they would love it.
Now let’s move on to the next test – can the system also follow directions for emotions and goals? We’ll see if it can with this new challenge:
Prompt 2: Dialogue with emotion and goal
Write a dialogue between Anton and Berta. Anton is happy and in love with Berta. Berta wants to spend as much money as possible. Both are at a folk festival. Each person takes turns saying only one sentence. The first word of the first sentence starts with A. The first word of the second sentence starts with B, and so on. Continue the dialogue until all letters of the alphabet are used.
Anton: "Aren't the festivities wonderful, Berta?"
Berta: "But the food is so expensive, Anton."
Anton: "Can't we just enjoy the atmosphere, my love?"
Berta: "Don't you want to try all the different treats, Anton?"
Anton: "Everyone seems to be having a great time, don't you think?"
Berta: "Forget about everyone else, I want to have a good time too, Anton."
Anton: "Great, let's go check out the live music then."
Berta: "How about we buy some souvenirs first, Anton?"
Anton: "I don't think we need any more trinkets, Berta."
Berta: "Just one more won't hurt, Anton."
Anton: "Knowing you, one will turn into ten, Berta."
Berta: "Let's not argue, Anton. We're here to have fun."
Anton: "Maybe you're right. How about we split the cost of a treat?"
Berta: "Now you're talking, Anton."
Anton: "Perhaps we can dance a little to burn off the calories?"
Berta: "Quickstep or salsa, Anton?"
Anton: "Really, Berta? I didn't know you could dance."
Berta: "See, you're learning new things about me, Anton."
Anton: "This has been an amazing day, Berta."
Berta: "Unforgettable, just like us, Anton."
Anton: "Very true, my dear. I'm so glad I have you in my life."
Berta: "We'll always have these moments to cherish, Anton."
Anton: "Xoxo, Berta. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Berta: "You're my everything, Anton. I love you more than words can say."
Anton: "Zillions of kisses for you, my love."
Once again, the system has managed to complete the tasks. You can clearly sense Anton’s emotions and Bertha’s intentions in her statements. It seems like the system can really hold all these tasks “in its head” at once, which is quite impressive.