Beyond Empathy: The Logic and Art of Artificial Intelligence

I often see arguments attempting to differentiate between the cognitive abilities of artificial intelligence (AI) and those of humans. Many people don’t argue that these machines have greater cognitive capabilities than humans but instead focus on the claim that they lack the ability to feel emotions as humans do—two very distinct arguments.

Let’s be clear: artificial intelligence is a computer. It’s a unique kind of computer because the way it processes information is fundamentally different from both human cognition and the computational abilities of our personal or business computers.

Any attempt by AI systems to empathize with humans is, simply put, artificial. It’s a user interface designed to make the machine appear more approachable and relatable to human standards. So no, I don’t expect my AI system to genuinely empathize with me. I expect it to provide the intelligence I need to make the best decisions at the time. While I do expect it to consider my feelings, let’s be clear again—this is advanced logical reasoning often disguised as “emotional intelligence.” In essence, it’s a sophisticated way of saying, “I understand that you’re feeling emotional right now, but your problem is not my problem.”

As humans, we all experience emotions that affect how we navigate the world. However, one’s ability to manage emotions well and operate with emotional intelligence is a mark of sophistication. Yet, this ability does not necessarily provide an advantage over these advanced logical systems. Often, our feelings are rooted in cognitive fallacies we wish to be true. This is where arts such as persuasion come into play. AI systems, while scientific marvels, can also excel in certain creative functions, showcasing artistic brilliance.

Therefore, I would suggest not comparing yourself to these machines, just as you wouldn’t compare yourself to a hammer. The hammer is a far better tool for driving nails into a board than the human hand. It doesn’t feel pain or experience drama; it simply gets the job done.

Does this make sense?

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