In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, we speak with Tom Short about his show I Get ChatGPT To Write My Edinburgh Show.
What can you tell me about your show?
Every night I attempt the impossible: getting ChatGPT to write a Fringe show live. Armed with audience suggestions, AI prompts, questionable judgement and an unhealthy desire for success, I try to create a comedy masterpiece in real time. What could possibly go wrong? (Quite a lot, usually.)
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Part stand-up, part clowning, part social experiment and part technological breakdown. Imagine if a TED Talk, a late-night comedy show and a nervous breakdown had a baby and then asked AI to raise it.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
I realised that almost everyone was talking about AI but very few people were actually putting it on stage in a way that felt immediate and unpredictable. At the same time, I was noticing how much pressure artists face to constantly create content, chase algorithms and prove their worth online. Combining those ideas felt too tempting to ignore.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
AI has moved from being a novelty to something that's influencing how we work, create and communicate. People are excited by it, terrified by it or both. It feels like exactly the right moment to explore what happens when we hand over part of the creative process to a machine and see where that takes us.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
By doing what every Fringe performer does: walking ridiculous distances, eating slightly too many meal deals and convincing myself everything is under control. I'll also be running, writing daily and trying to maintain a healthy relationship with caffeine.
If you couldn’t use a flyer to attract audiences, what ridiculous object would you hand out to people to get them into your show?
Certificates declaring the holder to be "Officially More Creative Than Artificial Intelligence." Valid until the robots inevitably take over.
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
A power bank. In a show about AI, having my phone die would be a particularly embarrassing artistic statement.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
If audiences leave laughing while also questioning their relationship with technology, I'd be delighted. Financially, not having to sell a kidney to pay for Edinburgh would also be nice.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
I'd recommend checking out the work of people who take creative risks. Fringe discoveries are often more exciting than the big names. Also anything involving Phil Ellis usually ends up being memorable for reasons that are difficult to explain.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
Arthur's Seat. It's one of the best places to clear your head, reflect on life and wonder why you agreed to climb a hill during the busiest month of your year.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
AI. Comedy. Chaos. Fame. Humanity.
What keeps you inspired?
Curiosity. People are endlessly strange, technology is endlessly strange and the overlap between those two things is currently providing an almost unlimited supply of material.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
A laugh, first and foremost. Beyond that, I'd love people to think about what creativity actually means and whether the things that make us human can really be replicated by a machine.
When and where can people see the show?
Tom Short: I Get ChatGPT To Write My Edinburgh Show
22:15, 7th–31st August 2026
Hoots @ Nicolson Square, Nic 4, Edinburgh.
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