AI responses deemed more compassionate than human counselors

A new study finds that artificial intelligence (AI) may be seen as more compassionate than human mental health professionals. The study, published in the Communications Psychology Journal, shows that AI responses were rated as 16% more compassionate than those from trained crisis responders. Participants preferred AI responses 68% of the time. The research included 550 participants who shared personal experiences and rated the empathy of various responses. Interestingly, participants still preferred AI’s response even when they knew it was AI. One scientist suggested that AI’s ability to focus on details and stay objective helps it create a sense of empathy. Human responders might struggle due to fatigue and burnout. The study highlights a growing demand for mental health care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), before the COVID-19 pandemic, many people lacked access to effective mental health services. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for policy changes in mental health to improve outcomes for individuals and communities. While AI may offer a more affordable and accessible option for mental health counseling, there are concerns. Experts warn that using AI could harm human relationships and raise privacy issues. With AI having access to sensitive information, there is a risk that it could be misused.