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Artificial Intelligence

Will AI Make Us More Empathetic, or Less?

We have a choice regarding how we interact with AI, but we have to make it.

Key points

  • Over-reliance on AI for communication and problem-solving could erode our patience for human relationships.
  • By fostering empathy in our AI interactions, we can build a culture of mindful connection, offline and online.
  • Empathy starts with intention, in our interactions with ourselves, others, and AI.
Artificial companions are a mirror of human interactions and inputs.
Artificial companions are a mirror of human interactions and inputs.
Source: Generated with Gemini / Google, Walther 2025

The convergence of artificial intelligence and natural intelligence, of technological expressions and human experience, has been reshaping how we perceive and interact with our environment for the past decade.

This trend is intensifying since the launch of ChatGTP in November 2022, for better and worse. Research shows that digital interactions can significantly impact brain functions, including visual perception, language, cognition, and behavior patterns. As AI becomes increasingly woven into our daily lives, both at work and leisure, a central question arises: How does our interaction with technology influence our interactions with other people? Does it make us more or less empathetic toward one another?

Compliance by Design

AI systems are designed to be customer-friendly and responsive, delivering immediate results without the complexities of human emotions or misunderstandings. AI utilization can increase communication speed, encourage positive emotional language, and lead to more cooperative and closer evaluations between conversation partners. For example, when we use AI to draft emails, these emails are often sent more efficiently and with more polite, personalized language than we might have used ourselves, due to time constraints. Paradoxically, people often perceive AI-powered communication as more humane than human-made content.

Caveats of Constant Compliance

However, there is a downside to this fluid artificial exchange. If we become too accustomed to interacting with AI, we risk losing patience and empathy in our real-life relationships, where responses are not always immediate or straightforward. Humans are creatures of habit, and the more we get used to AI compliance — without the need for minimal politeness — the more likely we are to develop a careless language, a command-and-obey style, and an attitude of impatience that can seep into our human interactions. Over-reliance on AI for communication and problem-solving could erode our patience and understanding when dealing with the complexities of human relationships.

For businesses, this could have severe implications. If employees begin to treat colleagues or customers with the same detached efficiency they use with AI, workplace culture and customer relations could suffer. But what if we consider the alternative?

The Potential of Politeness

Imagine you’re a busy professional, managing a constant stream of tasks and responsibilities. You rely heavily on your AI assistant to organize meetings, draft emails, and keep your schedule on track. One day, you decide to change how you interact with this digital helper — deliberately adding "please" and "thank you" to your commands. Over time, you notice a shift. Not only do you receive more thoughtful responses, but you also find yourself feeling more patient and positive throughout the day. This simple change in behavior toward AI might be doing more than just improving your mood; it could be enhancing your overall empathy towards others, and towards yourself. What goes in, comes out.

Language Matters

The language we use, whether in interactions with others or with AI, influences how we experience that interaction — not only in terms of outcomes but also in how we perceive ourselves. The "politeness principle," coined by Geoffrey Leech in 1983, suggests that respectful language impacts the environment in which we operate. In a hybrid context, this principle implies that how we communicate online influences how we communicate offline, and vice versa. Both arenas shape our internal dialogue and, consequently, our self-perception. Consistently using polite language, whether in analog or digital formats, results in higher levels of satisfaction in our overall social engagements.

AI's Politeness Potential: Expanding Empathy in Human Relationships

Used thoughtfully, AI entails the opportunity to enhance our empathy and improve our interpersonal relationships. The many micro-interactions we have with AI — whether it’s asking for a weather update with a "please" or thanking the AI for setting a reminder — can reinforce the social norms of politeness and empathy that are crucial for healthy human relationships, provided we approach these interactions with a mindful attitude.

Consider the impact this could have in customer service settings. When AI systems consistently demonstrate empathy and understanding, customers may start to expect similar treatment from human representatives. This sets a higher standard for human-to-human interactions, potentially leading to a more compassionate and customer-centric culture within organizations.

Practical Takeaways: Navigating The Intersection of AI and Empathy

As we continue to integrate AI into our lives, it’s essential to take a proactive approach to our interactions with these systems. Rather than allowing AI to subtly shape our behaviors without our awareness, we can be intentional about how we engage with this technology. Framed within the A-Frame of AI-Agency, here are some practical steps to ensure that our engagement with AI fosters empathy rather than diminishes it:

  • Awareness of Ourselves: Be mindful of how your interactions with AI influence your behavior. By paying attention to the language you use, you can reinforce positive habits that enhance your social skills.
  • Appreciation of Others and AI: Cultivate respect and gratitude in your interactions with both AI and humans. This approach not only improves your experience with AI but also strengthens your relationships with people.
  • Acceptance of Limitations: Recognize that AI, while powerful, has its limits. It can support empathy but cannot replace the depth of human connection that comes from genuine, face-to-face interactions.
  • Accountability for Inputs and Outcomes: Take responsibility for the way you use AI. Businesses and individuals should strive to create environments where polite and empathic communication is the standard, not the exception.

Everything is connected. What goes in influences what comes out. This holds true in relationships with people and machines. By fostering empathy in our AI interactions, we can build a culture of increased compassion and mindful connectedness, both offline and online. But this won’t happen by accident—it requires us to be intentional and proactive in how we engage with ourselves, others, and AI.

This approach not only ensures that AI enriches our lives but also that we maintain the human connection that is vital for our personal and professional well-being.

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