Most definitions of empathy stress its interpersonal nature: Empathy requires a human sender and a human receiver, where all parties involved have the theoretical capacity to accurately understand each other’s minds. Because empathy is inherently interpersonal, some scholars have questioned whether empathy between humans and artificial intelligence as it currently exists (e.g., large language models) is “real.” However, the requirement for two minds, each with the theoretical capacity to fully understand the thoughts and emotions of the other, is also not clearly met in other domains where empathy is discussed, such as empathy between humans and non-human animals or empathy with nature. This chapter critically examines these assumptions about what is needed for empathy to occur, offering several possible sets of empathy requirements that researchers might engage with, and outlining potential challenges researchers might face if they adopt any particular set of requirements in their work. Ultimately, we pose the question of whether two minds and/or the ability for minds to understand each other are truly necessary for empathy, or whether all that is required for empathy to occur is an entity’s perception of giving or receiving it.
Sean M. Laurent, Iris Sooyun Chung· Cambridge University Press e...· 0 citations
As artificial intelligence chatbots offer increasingly sophisticated emotional support, society faces a profound question: can a machine truly empathize? Empathy and Artificial Intelligence provides the first comprehensive roadmap for this pivotal moment. Moving beyond simple binaries of 'hype' or 'doom,' this interdisciplinary volume unites leading psychologists, philosophers, and engineers to explore the tangled web of synthetic care. Key chapters investigate the 'AI Advantage' – where machines often outperform humans in perceived empathy – alongside the 'AI Penalty,' where discovering the artifice corrodes trust. The text navigates the distinct landscapes of text-based LLMs and embodied robots, addressing urgent ethical dilemmas and exploring whether reliance on AI risks the atrophy of our moral capacities or enables synthetic agents to scaffold stronger human relationships. Essential for researchers, students, and curious observers, this book investigates whether outsourcing our emotional labor saves us time, or costs us our humanity.
C. Daryl Cameron, Anat Perry, Shai Satran et al.· Cambridge University Press e...· 0 citations
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