Will you ever ask your home computer what to wear?
Will judges ever seek advice from artificial intelligence to determine criminal sentencing?
Would you be willing to obey an AI system?
Belgian comedian, physics nerd and science communicator Lieven Scheire will be addressing these questions and more when he returns to the UK in Spring 2026 with his live show Artificial Intelligence. Described as the “secret love child of Stephen Fry and Dara Ó Briain”, Scheire will pull back the curtain on this fascinating, ever-changing and for some, terrifying technology, making complex concepts easily digestible.
Lieven Scheire’s unique blend of science and comedy has seen him sell out shows around the world including at the Edinburgh Fringe with his show on Einstein’s theory of relativity. Artificial Intelligence has already been a hit in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Scheire is no stranger to performing in the UK, appearing at the Barbican’s Wikipedia festival, and on the Pint of Science tour, which took him to universities in London, Oxford and Cambridge. In 2023 he was a keynote speaker with his AI show at the Love Tomorrow Campus, an initiative by Tomorrowland. His viral explanation of Why Coriander tastes like soap to some people reached millions on TikTok and Instagram.
He is the face and founder of Nerdland, a popular brand which brings science and technology to the broader public and has written several bestsellers in the Nerdland book series and created multiple science programmes for Belgian television.
Lieven Scheire's UK tour starts on March 11. Click here for dates and ticket links.
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)?
I’m a classic curtain-peeker, looking for reassurance: checking that not everyone in the audience looks like a grumpy serial killer, and trying to find people who look like they’re good laughers.
What irritates you?
I‘m not religious but I do believe there is demon called Ghwundra'araaqh who populates my commute with people who are very much not in a hurry.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
I’m not a daredevil. At all. Wearing two different coloured socks is already quite an adrenaline rush for me.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Pissing offGhwundra'araaqh.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
How different tastes in comedy can be. Seeing an audience crack up at jokes that you simply don’t think are very funny is a humbling experience. It’s all gustibus etcoloribus: you should be grateful if you find an audience that likes your style, and respect that other comedians find their audience too.
What do your parents/children (delete as applicable) think of your job?
My parents weren’t too happy about the swear words in my early stand-up days. I guess they‘re rather relieved that I mainly do science comedy now. As for my kids, it’s just their dad’s job. The main result is that they don’t consider it to be cool or exceptional, and that they absolutely don’t want to do stand-up comedy themselves. My parents and my children have also started listening to my science podcast. I try hard not to tone down on the dirty jokes because of that.
What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
In Dutch we have aword called “grapdwang”. It‘s an atmosphere that can sometimes emerge amongst comedians, especially backstage before a show. It translates best as“compulsive joking”: suddenly all conversation dries up, everyone is trying to make the next joke, even when there is no inspiration. The laughs become forced and superficial, the smiles turn into manic grins, and no one seems to find a way to break out of the spiral. Maybe “joke flywheel” is a good translation.“ All went well until the comedians got stuck in a joke flywheel...
I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
What I try to do is to be a translator. I understand the often opaque language of science and technology, and can translate that for a general audience. It took 20 years of practice but I think I know how to do that now. Starting with many years in stand-up comedy really helped me keep things accessible and entertaining. Stand-up is the altitude training of public speaking.
How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
I earn more than I thought I would when I was young, but wouldn’t mind doubling it.
How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
In 2004 I was in the comedy group “Neveneffecten” with my cousin Jonas Geirnaert, when he won a Jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his animated short “Flatlife”. As a result, we got our first TV show. So yes, that was lucky for me. Let’s hope for a similar lucky break in the UK! Call me, science TV shows and/or future Bafta winners who want to form a comedy group!
Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories-golfers and self-harmers. Th eformer just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into third category?
Probably more self-harmer than golfer, but far too privileged to be a tortured artist. And still a dreamer I guess, since I’m doing my first tour in the UK.
Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or othercomedians?
In science and science communication I really like Richard Feynman. The playful, light-hearted way he talks about physics, while being a Nobel prize-winning top physicist, is such a joy to watch.
Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).
In search of guidance, there is always wisdom to be found on the wikiquote page “Misattributed to Albert Einstein”. “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what then is an empty desk a sign?” Laurence J Peter.
Picture credit: ©Krew Collective
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