False empathy ChatGPT –

Saturday, November 23, 2024. Anthropomorphism is the tendency to attribute human characteristics to non-human beings such as machines or animals. In case chatbotssuch as ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot, this phenomenon occurs when they imitate human language to communicate with us. Not only do they use words and phrases that are clear and familiar, but they also adopt people’s own communication patterns. In this way, they are able to maintain a contextual and coherent conversation and even show humor and empathy.

This language design in machines aims to make interaction with them natural, fluid and accessible. This makes it easy to use in a variety of applications, from customer service to education and entertainment.

Until now, language was considered an exclusive human ability. However, advances in generative artificial intelligence are forcing us to reconsider this idea.

One of the most distinctive features of human language is subjectivity, which manifests itself in the choice of emotionally charged words and the expression of personal opinions. It also manifests itself in the assessment of events and the use of contextual and cultural elements.

First person effect

There are important ethical and psychological implications when a machine pretends to be a human in communication. These interactions can influence how we perceive and relate to technology.

A typical feature of human subjectivity in language is the use of personal pronouns. First person (such as “I” and “we”) allows you to express your own thoughts and experiences. The second person (for example, “you” and “you”) engages the interlocutor, building relationships between the participants in the conversation. In human interaction this is called intersubjectivity.

Let’s look at an example.

• • User: “How do I prioritize which items to keep, donate, or throw away during the organizing process?”
  • chatbot: “Great question! Organizing your belongings can be a daunting task, but with a clear strategy, you’ll be able to make easier decisions. Here are some ideas for prioritizing what to keep, donate, or throw away.”

He chatbot implicitly uses first person. Although the “I” does not appear, the issuer takes the position of an advisor or mentor. For example, in the phrase “Here I present some ideas,” the verb “to imagine” is in the first person.

This suggests that chatbot takes on the role of one who provides assistance. In this way, the user perceives a personal address, although “I” is not used explicitly. Additionally, using “presento” reinforces the sender’s image as someone offering something of value.

Using a second person

The word “you” (and forms such as “those” and “your”) is used to directly address the user. This can be seen in several parts of the text, for example in the phrases: “Organize your assets can be huge” and “with a clear strategy, Maybe make simpler decisions.”

Speaking to him personally, he chatbot He strives to make the reader feel like an active member of the board. This type of language is common in texts that seek to directly involve the other.

Other interaction elements, such as “Great question!” not only positively evaluate the user’s request, but also encourage their participation. Likewise, expressions such as “it can be overwhelming” suggest a shared experience, creating the illusion of empathy by recognizing the user’s possible emotions.

Effects of artificial empathy

Use of first person chatbot imitates consciousness and seeks to create the illusion of empathy. By taking the position of a helper and using a second person, you involve the user and increase the feeling of intimacy. This combination creates a conversation that feels more human and practical, suitable for counseling, even if the empathy comes from an algorithm rather than real insight.

Getting used to interacting with unconscious entities that mimic personality and personality can have long-term consequences. These interactions can influence aspects of our personal, social and cultural lives.

As these technologies improve, distinguishing a conversation with a human from one with artificial intelligence can become difficult.

This blurring of the boundaries between the human and the artificial affects how we understand authenticity, empathy, and conscious presence in communication. We might even treat artificial intelligences as conscious beings, creating confusion about their actual capabilities.

Uncomfortable talking to people

Interacting with machines may also change our expectations of human relationships. As we become accustomed to fast, perfect, and conflict-free interactions, we may feel more frustrated in our relationships with people.

Human relationships are characterized by emotions, misunderstandings and complexity. In the long term, this can reduce our patience and ability to deal with conflict and accept natural shortcomings in interpersonal interactions.

Moreover, prolonged exposure to entities that mimic humanity raises ethical and philosophical dilemmas. By attributing to them human qualities, such as the ability to feel or have intentions, we might begin to question the value of conscious life in the face of a perfect simulation. This could open up a debate about the rights of robots and the value of human consciousness.

Interacting with unconscious entities that mimic the human personality can change our perception of communication, relationships and identity. While these technologies offer benefits in terms of efficiency, it is important to recognize their limitations and the possible impact on how we interact, both with machines and with each other.

Cristian Augusto Gonzalez Arias es Investigador, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Doctor en Lingüística, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile y Docteur en Sciences du Langage, Universidad Paris 13, Francia. Profesor Titular en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, donde realiza cursos de pre y postgrado en los programas de Licenciaturas en Lingüística y Literatura y de Doctorado en Lingüística. Investiga la enunciación en el espacio público en el marco de la Lingüística del Discurso, especialmente, el discurso de la prensa. Actualmente realiza una estadía de investigación en la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela a través del Programa de ayudas María Zambrano.