Meme accounts continue to thrive, providing a playful alternative to artificial intelligence. Some believe that following these accounts that create and share memes is even a form of protest against the rise of AI. Estimates suggest that approximately 71% of images on the internet today contain some aspect of artificial intelligence, yet memes remain a staple of online culture. The creation of memes does not necessarily require intelligence—human or artificial—as they often stem from a desire for humor and reflect the absurdities of life. Memes capture silly jokes and internet trends. Memers Hut has shared several humorous posts, and the audience is invited to consider how much thought went into them.
Research has produced mixed findings regarding AI’s ability to create humor. Studies indicate that AI models like ChatGPT are capable of crafting clever lines and jokes, but they still fall short when it comes to making memes. A study from 2024 revealed that large language models could generate superior jokes and satirical headlines. In this study, researchers compared headlines created by ChatGPT 3.5 to those from a comedy writer, and respondents found the AI’s headlines to be funnier.
However, humans appear to have an edge in meme-making. A 2025 study involved three groups producing memes: one made up of humans, another using an AI model’s assistance, and a third solely relying on an AI. The findings showed that participants preferred the memes created by humans. Interestingly, the most creative and shareable memes came from those who collaborated with AI. One researcher noted that the best outcomes occurred when people refined the AI’s output.
Following a viral video involving bunnies on a trampoline, many individuals may have decided to avoid humorous content that includes AI, at least as much as possible. In their own circles, it might seem like people are rejecting any AI-created content, memes included. However, broader research indicates that most users are not particularly concerned about whether a meme was made with AI, as long as it is entertaining.
In 2025, researchers from the Penn State Media Effects Research Lab found that users generally did not mind if a meme was AI-generated, provided it was funny. They tested the “Generated by AI” label on social media and discovered it did not significantly alter how people rated the memes.
Another notable point from the research showed that individuals with negative feelings about AI were more inclined to find AI-created memes less amusing. Conversely, those who viewed AI positively were more likely to enjoy and share these memes.
Views on AI-generated memes can be complex. A study examining AI memes during the 2024 U.S. Presidential election found that clear AI visuals tended to lower engagement rates. However, when the memes were presented in familiar formats, they were more likely to receive likes and shares. The researchers also concluded that the majority, about 85%, of memes in their analysis were traditional, non-AI styles.
The future of memes remains uncertain, but the presence of AI-generated content is undoubtedly growing. What do you think about the use of AI in creating memes?
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Source: Bored Panda, by Viktorija Strelciunaite