Publicação
Beyond Empathy
| Resumo: | From a teen hiding an eating disorder to an older adult facing early Alzheimer's symptoms, health-related vulnerability takes many forms. When people feel vulnerable, they often withhold important information from healthcare providers due to fear of judgment. AI-powered agents are increasingly used in healthcare for administrative tasks like appointment scheduling, due to their ability to handle multiple requests simultaneously. However, their adoption in emotionally sensitive contexts (e.g., mental health support) remains limited. This limitation stems primarily from concerns that AI lacks the empathy required to connect with patients on an emotional level. Yet this perspective may overlook a critical feature: AI’s judgment neutrality. Unlike humans, AI agents process inputs without emotional evaluation. Their perceived objectivity and detachment may make it easier for vulnerable individuals to speak freely. We propose that judgment neutrality serves as a key advantage. Human providers may inadvertently trigger patients' concerns about how they are perceived, whereas AI interactions remove these pressures entirely. By eliminating the need to manage others' perceptions, AI enables more authentic communication and better emotional outcomes for patients experiencing vulnerability. |
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| Autores principais: | Girão Carrilho, Mariana |
| Outros Autores: | Pinto, Diego Costa |
| Assunto: | SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being |
| Ano: | 2025 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | póster em conferência |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| Resumo: | From a teen hiding an eating disorder to an older adult facing early Alzheimer's symptoms, health-related vulnerability takes many forms. When people feel vulnerable, they often withhold important information from healthcare providers due to fear of judgment. AI-powered agents are increasingly used in healthcare for administrative tasks like appointment scheduling, due to their ability to handle multiple requests simultaneously. However, their adoption in emotionally sensitive contexts (e.g., mental health support) remains limited. This limitation stems primarily from concerns that AI lacks the empathy required to connect with patients on an emotional level. Yet this perspective may overlook a critical feature: AI’s judgment neutrality. Unlike humans, AI agents process inputs without emotional evaluation. Their perceived objectivity and detachment may make it easier for vulnerable individuals to speak freely. We propose that judgment neutrality serves as a key advantage. Human providers may inadvertently trigger patients' concerns about how they are perceived, whereas AI interactions remove these pressures entirely. By eliminating the need to manage others' perceptions, AI enables more authentic communication and better emotional outcomes for patients experiencing vulnerability. |
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