New Study Explores Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Empathy in Caring Relationships

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Rubinet al., (2025).  (JMIR Preprints 18/01/2024:56529). DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.56529

 Recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) have made the idea of raised the possiblitiy of AI providing support and companionship. Within this context, there is growing interest in whether AI can replicate empathy. AI chatbots and virtual assistants are increasingly used in customer service, mental health support, and social companionship. Some AI models are designed to recognize emotional cues through natural language processing and facial recognition technology, allowing them to respond in ways that mimic empathy.

However, AI’s does not have the ability to truly “feel” empathy r. Unlike humans, AI lacks subjective experience, emotions, and genuine concern for others’ well-being. While AI can simulate cognitive empathy—understanding and predicting emotions based on data—it cannot experience emotional or compassionate empathy. AI-generated responses may be highly sophisticated, but they remain formulaic and lack authentic emotional resonance.

The Future of AI and Empathy: Opportunities and Ethical Considerations

AI’s role in mentoring presents both opportunities and ethical concerns. AI-driven chatbots, for example, can provide immediate support to individuals experiencing loneliness or distress. These systems can offer coping strategies and emotional validation, potentially bridging gaps in caring support.

However, reliance on AI for emotional support raises ethical questions. Can AI truly replace mentors, or does it risk creating a false sense of connection? Studies suggest that while AI-generated empathetic responses can be effective in certain contexts, users often detect the artificial nature of the interaction, leading to diminished trust.

Moreover, AI’s lack of ethical judgment and contextual understanding presents risks. In sensitive scenarios, AI may provide inappropriate, biased, or harmful responses due to its reliance on programmed algorithms rather than human intuition. Ensuring responsible AI development requires careful consideration of these limitations and ethical guidelines to prevent potential harm.

Conclusion

Empathy remains a defining trait of human interaction, shaping relationships, fostering emotional well-being, and enabling social cohesion. While AI continues to advance in simulating aspects of empathy, it cannot fully replicate the depth of human emotional connection. As technology evolves, the challenge lies in striking a balance—leveraging AI to enhance accessibility and support while preserving the irreplaceable value of genuine human empathy.