While thousands of comedians arrive in Edinburgh hoping to win an award, comedian Tom Short has decided not to wait.

Instead, he asked artificial intelligence to judge his show before it had even opened. It won three prizes, including one for Outstanding Achievement in Applied Absurdity.

This follows the launch of the Edinburgh Comedy AIwards – a tongue-in-cheek website where AI reviews Fringe shows and hands out entirely fictional awards based on algorithms, confidence and, quite possibly, complete nonsense.

www.edinburghcomedyaiwards.lol

Among this year’s early “winners” is Tom himself, who has already collected three AI-generated awards before performing a single show.

The website forms part of his new Edinburgh Fringe show, I Get ChatGPT to Write My Edinburgh Show, in which artificial intelligence attempts to create, direct and judge an entire comedy hour while confidently misunderstanding what makes stand-up comedy funny.

Tom said: “Every year comedians spend the Fringe hoping they’ll get reviewed or win an award. I thought I’d save everyone the suspense and let AI decide instead. It’s probably just as qualified as some of us.”

Visitors to the AIwards website can browse fictional reviews, increasingly ridiculous award categories and follow the AI’s completely impartial (and occasionally baffling) opinions on the festival.

The project playfully explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in creative industries while poking fun at Edinburgh’s annual awards race and our increasing tendency to ask AI for opinions on everything.

Tom Short is an award-winning comedian, comedy educator and founder of Comedy Train. His previous work has earned a Keep It Fringe Award, nominations at the North West Comedy Awards and appearances across the UK comedy circuit.

Artificial intelligence has become everyone’s favourite expert. But can it actually write an Edinburgh Fringe show? Every joke, every slide and every creative decision has been generated, challenged or inspired by AI in a comedy show about creativity, technology and what happens when computers become convinced they’re funnier than comedians.

Show Information. Tom Short: I Get ChatGPT to Write My Edinburgh Show, Aug 7 - 30, 10.15, Hoots @ Nicolson Square. Details here.

Notes 

• The Edinburgh Comedy AIwards are a satirical project created as part of Tom Short’s 2026 Edinburgh Fringe show.
• The awards and reviews are intentionally fictional and generated as part of the show’s concept.
• The project is designed to parody both AI culture and the Edinburgh Fringe awards season while exploring the relationship between comedians and artificial intelligence.