For many years, there has been a longstanding curiosity among scientists and researchers regarding the potential for A.I. to exhibit emotion.

While A.I. has shown remarkable advancements in replicating human intelligence and creativity, such as generating art, music, and even writing, the same cannot be said for the development of artificial emotion. Currently, A.I. cannot emotionally engage users; take your Snapchat A.I. for example, it’s more of a nuisance than anything else. he friendliness that A.I. attempts to radiate comes off as disingenuous because it’s missing a distinct human element of emotion and feeling. So what if A.I. cracks the code for expressing and understanding emotion? How will it affect the world around us? What will it mean for the human race?

Well, currently the technology for artificial emotion is lacking.

According to a study done by Frontiers in Psychology, a psychology journal. Although AI can provide words of comfort, it is limited in its ability to process the depth and significance of those words; this is due to a lack of motivation to develop these technologies. As the study notes, "Scientists do not consider the possibility of AI technologies as tools for compassion". It’s primarily due to the widespread belief that human connections will always be more meaningful than those with AI.

This is true as people want to be treated by real people, not machines plugged up to a wall.

There is nothing like a handshake or genuine smile to ensure that you’re in great hands but it should be noted that not all human connections are created equal. In industries where compassion is expected, it isn’t always given. Certain stigmas against patients due to addiction or other biological factors may interfere with treatment. In addition, the study notes that practitioners experience compassion fatigue and burnout. If artificial emotion can be successfully implemented, journalist Ramy Nassar predicts it will save, “Around $3.7 billion for healthcare systems globally by 2023, freeing up medical staff time and increasing efficiency”. While human connection can be the most reliable form of connection, A.I. can minimize the discrimination and fatigue that can come with human treatment.

In the healthcare field, every interaction counts and every patient matters. Likewise, the development of emotions in AI requires deep consideration of what it means to care for others.

Accordingly, the study simplified empathy into six steps: awareness of suffering, understanding of suffering, connecting with the suffering, making a judgment about the suffering, responding with an intervention to alleviate the suffering, and paying attention to the effect and outcomes of the response. By fulfilling these steps, compassion is present and a patient will feel cared for but it isn’t always easy. A practitioner may completely feel for what a patient is going through but they aren’t checking up on the patient to a suitable extent. There could be other gaps in treatment but adequately trained A.I. can fill those gaps.

That begs the question, could the development of artificial emotion potentially harm the human race in the long run?

If A.I. can process and express emotion, what sets us apart from them? To answer that question, MIT journalist Meredith Somers reminds us that, “Technology is only as good as its programmer. In other words, one A.I. is incapable of replicating the incredibly diverse and evolving characteristics of human emotion and will always require a human programmer's assistance. Somers also suggests that instead of viewing A.I. as a threat, we should view it as an asset to society. “Overall, what’s important to remember is that when it’s used thoughtfully, the ultimate benefits of the technology can and should be greater than the cost”.

It’s unlikely that A.I. will take the place of doctors or completely dominate the healthcare industry, rather it will serve as assistance. While A.I. may not possess the same level of empathy and understanding as a human, it can still provide a helpful perspective that can aid practitioners in providing respectful and unbiased treatment to patients. This technology can also ease the treatment process for practitioners, making their jobs easier and saving money for the industry.  

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