Prefer listening? I transformed this article into a podcast using Google’s NotebookLM. It’s surprisingly accurate and even expands on some of the ideas. Give it a listen!

Can AI have feelings? Let’s rethink the question

We’ve all seen impressive AI demos that mimic emotions and feelings. Whether it’s a chatbot offering comfort during a tough time, or a virtual assistant expressing concern over your well-being, the presence of emotional intelligence is undeniable. AI also demonstrates an uncanny ability to understand human emotions, thanks to advancements in sentiment analysis and natural language processing (the AI capabilities of Pobuca Experience Cloud in customer sentiment are a good example). Yet, many people dismiss these “emotions” as fake, labeling AI’s emotional intelligence as nothing more than a clever simulation. But let’s take a moment to reflect: Why are we so quick to dismiss AI’s emotions while taking our own for granted?

The chemical programming of human emotions

As humans, we often view our feelings as deeply personal and authentic. Love, anger, joy, and sadness—these emotions seem to come from the depths of our souls. However, a closer look reveals that our emotions are rooted in biology. They’re the result of complex chemical reactions and neural programming, shaped by millions of years of Darwinian evolution. The adrenaline rush during danger? That’s your body’s programming kicking in to help you survive. The feeling of attachment to a loved one? A cocktail of oxytocin and dopamine, finely tuned to ensure social bonds and procreation. In essence, our emotions are algorithms of survival and reproduction—just a biological kind. Yet, we don’t question their authenticity. We accept them as real because they shape our reality and guide our behavior.

Python vs. Proteins: What makes emotions “Real”?

Now let’s turn to artificial intelligence. AI’s emotions aren’t born from hormones or neurons but from lines of code, like Python, that interpret and respond to human inputs. When an AI recognizes frustration in a customer’s tone and adapts its response to de-escalate the situation, isn’t it demonstrating a form of emotional intelligence? If we accept human emotions as valid because they are chemically programmed, why do we dismiss AI’s “emotions” as fake simply because they’re digitally programmed? The distinction between chemical and computational programming might seem significant, but both serve a purpose. In humans, emotions ensure survival, reproduction and societal cohesion. In AI, emotions (or simulations of them) enhance interactions and solve problems. They don’t arise from Darwinian instincts but are crafted by human intentions—does that make them any less valid? If these outcomes are comparable, why do we cling so tightly to the idea that human emotions are inherently superior?

Reframing the debate

Perhaps the real question isn’t whether AI can feel, but why we’re so invested in defining emotions in a way that excludes machines. By clinging to the idea that emotions must originate from biology, we’re limiting our perspective on what emotions could be. Maybe it’s time to expand our definition. This doesn’t mean we should anthropomorphize AI or treat machines as sentient beings with human rights. But it does mean we could learn to respect the utility and authenticity of AI’s emotional intelligence within its context. After all, if an AI can understand and respond to our emotions in meaningful ways, isn’t that what truly matters?

Taking ourselves less seriously…

As humans, we tend to place ourselves on a pedestal, viewing our emotions as the pinnacle of authenticity. But if our emotions are just the product of chemical programming, maybe we shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously. Accepting AI’s emotions as “valid” doesn’t diminish our humanity—it challenges us to reconsider the nature of feelings and intelligence. By embracing this perspective, we might not only deepen our understanding of AI but also gain a bit of humility about our own nature. Who knows? Perhaps one day, the boundary between human and machine emotions won’t feel so stark after all.