S.D.I. English Edition : Artificial or Emotional. But let's use it with Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) and emotional intelligence (EI) are two distinct concepts that, while interacting in some contexts, refer to very different capabilities. One predominant in humans, EI, and the other currently on the crest of the wave, referred to sometimes as the possible replacement in toto for humans at other times as a possible valuable resource to help them.

What are the differences in the intelligences? The emotional, the essential part, the soul of the human being and the artificial, the result of algorithms and technology that harness very fast learning capabilities but totally devoid of emotion???

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI as a field of study grew out of computer science and cybernetics. Its roots lie in efforts to create machines that could think and act like human beings.

It is a discipline concerned with the design and development of algorithms and computer systems that can perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence; these can include and simulate learning, reasoning, problem solving, natural language understanding, visual perception, and self-correction.

Key Features

AI is used to automate repetitive or complex processes, making it possible to perform tasks with greater speed and accuracy than humans, improving efficiency, handling large-scale data analysis, and assisting in data-driven decision making. For these reasons, it is widely used in various fields, including medicine, finance, the automotive industry, entertainment, and many others.

Machine learning algorithms enable AI systems to improve their performance over time by learning from data and experiences. It includes machine learning algorithms, artificial neural networks, natural language processing (NLP), expert systems, etc.

AI can apply logical rules to analyze information and make decisions based on those analyses but does not possess typical EI emotions, self-awareness or empathic understanding. It can be programmed to recognize and respond to human emotions (e.g., through analysis of tone of voice or facial expressions), but without a true understanding of those emotions.

Computer vision and speech recognition systems allow machines to interpret and process sensory data from the real world. AI is designed to perform specific tasks such as image recognition, language translation, strategic gaming and more. Its capabilities are limited to the data and algorithms used to train it.

Is artificial intelligence only of the machines?

Yes, artificial intelligence is intrinsically related to machines, implemented in hardware and software to create systems capable of performing specific tasks; computers, robots, smartphones, and other electronic devices.

Machines are needed to perform the complex algorithms that constitute AI, work done through processors, sensors, and other hardware components that enable data input, processing, and output.

AI is embedded in advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, and smart cities, all of which depend on the computational capabilities of machines.

Human Emotional Intelligence (EI) : The Primary Difference with Machine ...

EI refers to a person's ability to recognize, understand, manage, and use emotions effectively; as it is traditionally conceived, it is a human capacity that includes self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills; skills rooted in our biology and psychology, derived from the interaction between the brain and body, personal experiences, and social interactions.

EI is intrinsically linked to understanding and managing one's own and others' emotions, a human skill that requires awareness, empathy, and intuition.

The ability to recognize and understand one's emotions, awareness that allows one to be aware of one's emotional states and the impact they have on thoughts and behaviors.

Includes emotional awareness, the ability to recognize one's own emotions and those of others to manage them in a healthy and productive way; emotional regulation to manage rationality, including the ability to control impulses and remain calm under pressure.

The ability to motivate oneself to achieve personal and professional goals. Includes the desire to continuously improve and achieve high standards.

Generating and managing empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is essential for building and maintaining healthy and productive relationships. EI is essential for interpersonal communication, stress management, conflict resolution, and building healthy and productive relationships.

Not the least endowment of EI is the ability to manage social relationships, manage interpersonal relationships effectively. It includes clear communication, conflict management and the ability to work as a team. Improve the quality of personal and professional interactions, promote emotional well-being, facilitate effective leadership and collaboration.

Emotional Intelligence in Machines

With the advancement of artificial intelligence, systems are being developed to simulate some aspects of emotional intelligence. However, these simulations do not represent true EI like human EI.

Machines can be programmed to recognize human emotions through analysis of tone of voice, facial expressions and body language; chatbots, for example, can detect frustration or happiness in interactions with users.

Some AI systems are designed to respond appropriately to recognized emotions by changing the tone of the response, the offer of support, or the deflection of the conversation so as to alleviate frustration.

Advanced algorithms can analyze written text through natural language processing to detect emotions and feelings, can then generate responses that take into account the user's emotional state.

Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in the Emotional Intelligence domain.

Despite advances, current AI has significant limitations compared to human emotional intelligence; a machine does not possess self-awareness or awareness of others.

Their "understanding" of emotions is based on predefined algorithms and not on true emotional experience.

Simulated empathy, real sadness; machines cannot truly understand or share the feelings of humans, but can only respond based on what they have been programmed to recognize as emotion.

Ai relies on contextual and limited data; algorithms can understand the full context of complex emotional situations, which require knowledge of the individual's personal, cultural, and situational background without true knowledge of the individual.

Comparison and Interaction AI vs. IE

AI can perform specific tasks with great accuracy and speed, but has no emotional understanding or empathy. EI is about understanding and managing emotions, qualities that AI does not possess.

AI is mainly used to automate processes and analyze large amounts of data, while EI is crucial for human relationship management and emotional well-being.

Despite the differences, there is potential interaction between AI and IE. For example, advanced AI systems could be designed to support the development of EI by providing feedback on social interactions or aiding in stress management through mindfulness apps.

Are there any developments in this regard?

Yes, there are many interesting developments in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and emotional intelligence (EI).

For example, virtual assistants such as Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa are becoming increasingly adept at recognizing emotions through tone of voice analysis; new developments aim to make these assistants capable of responding more empathetically to users' needs.

Empathic chatbots designed for customer service are incorporating models of emotional intelligence to improve customer interaction, for example by attempting to analyze natural language to detect emotions such as frustration or happiness and respond more appropriately.

AI applications have been developed to provide psychological support and cognitive-behavioral therapy, using natural language processing techniques to understand and respond to users' emotions, offering EI-based advice and support.

Wearable devices and mental health apps are using AI to monitor stress levels, mood and other emotional well-being metrics with the aim of providing personalized feedback and suggestions to improve emotional health.

E-learning platforms are integrating AI techniques to tailor instruction to students' emotional needs, detect when a student is frustrated or confused, and provide additional assistance or modify the way information is presented.

AI-based tutors can recognize students' emotions and adapt their approach accordingly, improving teaching effectiveness and student engagement.

Improve customer satisfaction through sentiment analysis to monitor customers' emotional reactions on social media and other online platforms to better understand their customers and to improve the products and services they offer.

AI that analyze customer interactions can provide feedback to customer service representatives, helping them improve their emotional intelligence skills and respond more effectively and empathetically.

Facial recognition and facial expression analysis technologies are advancing to detect specific emotions. This can be used in security contexts to detect suspicious behavior or to monitor employee well-being.

There is growing academic interest in exploring the interaction between AI and EI. Studies and research are trying to understand how machines can better learn and interpret human emotions and how these capabilities can be integrated into AI systems.

Collaborations between psychologists, neuroscientists, engineers, and computer scientists are advancing the development of AIs that can not only recognize but also respond appropriately to human emotions.

Some apps are practical examples of using AI in the EI workspace, chatbots that use AI to offer emotional support and friendly conversations, developed to help users improve their emotional well-being or provide psychological support based on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques by monitoring users' emotions through text conversations.

These developments demonstrate that the integration of AI and IE is a rapidly growing field with potentially transformative applications in many areas.

Social Implications in the Use of Emotional Chatbots.

The use of emotional chatbots, i.e., artificial intelligence systems designed to recognize and respond to human emotions, has a number of social implications that must be carefully considered; emotional chatbots can offer 24/7 emotional support, making psychological care more accessible, but with what results?

Angelo Stera , experienced psychologist, trainer and coach says that fortunately for the psychology and psychotherapy profession, artificial intelligence cannot replace the human essence needed for these practices. Any AI system works analytically and procedurally, limiting itself to cognitive functions, while therapy requires access to human physiology to recognize, feel and name emotions. This is a capability that no robotic system can replicate.

Already online therapy, through platforms such as Skype or Meet, demonstrates its limitations, as it lacks the bodily presence that is crucial in human communication, 55 percent of which is nonverbal. Moreover, the absence of pauses of silence and emotional contact, which are fundamental elements in therapy, makes it difficult to work on creative adaptations of patients' disorders.

Current artificial intelligence systems operate rapidly, but they cannot support therapeutic continuity between sessions, an automated process that involves the gut and the subconscious. Indeed, therapy is not only cognitive but emotional, and seeing emotions reflected in the therapist is often therapeutic for the patient. The therapist's empathy and emotional response are irreplicable by a robot.

Another limitation is the cost of therapy, which is a luxury for many. However, the human therapist is able to put the patient on the ropes productively, which an AI system could turn into dependence, following the patient's thoughts without offering real emotional growth. This makes such systems not only ineffective but potentially manipulative and dangerous.

Think of the potential effect of an improper approach, we are always talking about systems lacking emotional intelligence, that could put a potential patient on edge by triggering unexpected reactions; in a study, a physician's knowledge, experience, and skill would mitigate the impact and calm a potential harmful reaction. What could a chatbot do, little, nothing, solve? Doubt lingers.

The spread of these systems is inevitable, but the risk of creating new addictions and pathologies that are difficult to manage remains. Personally, I do not feel concerned about the quality of my work, but rather about the speed with which these technologies are advancing and the new generations, the digital natives, who risk losing touch with a necessary analog world.

Conclusions

Emotional intelligence, in its most authentic form, is a human capability. However, AI is making strides in recognizing and responding to human emotions, offering tools that can assist in emotional support and improve human-machine interactions.

AI is often used to support human decisions by analyzing large amounts of data and providing insights that can improve decision making.

Humans and machines with AI can collaborate in complementary ways, where machines perform repetitive or analytical tasks while humans focus on creative and strategic aspects; both have distinct purposes and functionalities, the integration of AI technologies and human understanding of emotions could lead to more balanced and effective systems in various contexts.

Virtual assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant represent examples of how AI can interact directly with humans, answering questions, executing commands, and providing assistance.

Artificial intelligence is a product of machine technology. Although designed and developed by humans, AI resides in and operates through machines. The interaction between AI and humans is increasingly close, with machines becoming powerful tools to enhance and amplify human capabilities.

In conclusion, for a therapeutic process to be useful, it is necessary to generate a novel experience in the patient, not only cognitively but also emotionally. Protocol solutions often increase self-criticism and guilt, while the human therapist offers emotional support and a space of tranquility to inhabit painful emotions. This human encounter and the resulting novelty are irreplaceable by a robot.

It is important to continue to develop these technologies ethically and with awareness of their inherent limitations.