AI and Empathy Case Scenarios

Below are three real-world situations where people interact with AI technologies. In your group, read one scenario and discuss:

1. What is the person’s primary emotional need?
2. How does the AI try to address that need?
3. List one positive impact and one negative impact of the AI in this scenario.

Scenario 1: ChatMentor for Exam Stress

Background: Jamie is a 16-year-old high schooler preparing for final exams. Overwhelmed by deadlines and worried about grades, Jamie feels anxious and isolated.

AI Interaction: Jamie signs up for ChatMentor, an AI-powered study companion. ChatMentor tracks Jamie’s calendar, sends study reminders, offers quick practice quizzes, and posts daily pep talks like “You’ve got this!” or “Keep pushing, success is around the corner!”

Emotional Impact: ChatMentor’s timely reminders help Jamie stay on track, but the generic motivational messages sometimes ring hollow and increase pressure when Jamie doesn’t meet every goal.

Scenario 2: CarePal Companion Robot for Seniors

Background: Maria is a 75-year-old widow living alone. She misses regular conversations and worries about memory lapses but is reluctant to move into assisted living.

AI Interaction: Her family gifts her CarePal, a small companion robot. CarePal greets Maria every morning, reminds her to take medication, reads headlines, and chats about her favorite hobbies using a friendly, pre-recorded voice.

Emotional Impact: CarePal offers routine, structured interaction that reduces Maria’s sense of loneliness—but when Maria shares personal stories, CarePal’s canned responses and occasional audio glitches remind her she’s talking to a machine, leaving her feeling more isolated.

Scenario 3: AutoCritique for Creative Writers

Background: Devin, a 10th grader, writes poetry to express feelings after a recent family conflict. Devin seeks feedback to improve their craft but also hopes someone will connect with the poem’s emotional tone.

AI Interaction: Devin uploads their draft to AutoCritique, an AI writing tutor. Within seconds, AutoCritique returns detailed notes on grammar, structure, and word choice, plus scores readability. It compliments technical strengths but offers no comments on emotional expression.

Emotional Impact: The instant, precise feedback helps Devin tighten syntax and eliminate clichés—but the lack of empathy or discussion of the poem’s emotional nuance leaves Devin feeling undervalued and discouraged about sharing deeper thoughts.

AI Ethics Discussion Prompt

Use your group’s scenario findings and engage in a whole-class dialogue. For each question below, jot down your thoughts and be prepared to share.

Refer back to your reading in AI and Empathy Case Scenarios as evidence.

1. Who benefits most from this AI application? Who might be harmed or excluded?

1. What biases or assumptions could be embedded in the AI’s design or data?

1. How does the AI’s efficiency compare to its capacity for genuine emotional understanding?

1. What unintended consequences might emerge if people rely heavily on this AI?

1. What safeguards, ethical guidelines, or design changes would you recommend to make this AI more empathetic and fair?

1. In what ways could this AI strengthen or weaken human relationships?

Empathy Reflection Worksheet

Reflect on your personal responses to the scenario you explored in AI and Empathy Case Scenarios. Complete the prompts below with thoughtful, detailed answers.

1. Which scenario made you feel the most empathy, and why? Consider the person’s situation, emotions, and your own reactions.

1. What emotions did you personally experience while reading and discussing this scenario? How do these emotions connect to your own life or experiences?

1. Imagine you are designing an AI tool to support genuine emotional connection. What features, behaviors, or design elements would you include to demonstrate empathy? Explain how each would address emotional needs.

AI Empathy Cool Down

Please complete this quick exit ticket to wrap up today’s lesson on AI and empathy.

1. Most Important Insight
What is the single most important thing you learned today about how AI and empathy intersect?

2. Resonant Scenario
Which scenario from AI and Empathy Case Scenarios resonated with you the most, and why?

3. Empathy Rating
On a scale of 1 (not empathetic) to 5 (highly empathetic), how would you rate an ideal AI assistant designed to support emotional well-being? Explain your rating.

Thank you! Please hand this in as you leave the classroom.

AI and Empathy Script

Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher: “Good morning, everyone! Today we’re diving into a fascinating topic: how artificial intelligence and empathy intersect in our everyday lives. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:

• Identify ways AI can support or hinder emotional needs
• Discuss ethical considerations when designing or using AI
• Reflect on how you might build empathetic AI yourself

Teacher: “To start, what comes to mind when you hear ‘artificial intelligence’ and ‘empathy’?”

[Write student responses on the board.]

Possible follow-ups:
• “I heard someone say ‘helpful.’ How might AI be helpful in supporting emotions?”
• “You mentioned ‘fake.’ Can you explain what you mean by that?”
 
 

Scenario Exploration (10 minutes)

Teacher: “Now let’s break into groups of 3–4 students. Find your group and grab a copy of the AI and Empathy Case Scenarios.”

Teacher: “In your groups, read one scenario together. Discuss these questions:

1. What is the person’s primary emotional need?
2. How does the AI try to address that need?
3. What is one positive impact and one negative impact you notice?

“You have 7 minutes for your discussion. Appoint one person to take brief notes.”

[Circulate to listen in, prompt deeper thinking: “What emotions does this person feel? How effectively does the AI respond?”]

Teacher (2 minutes before): “You have about 2 minutes left—please wrap up and prepare to share your key positive and negative impacts.”
 
 

Ethical Discussion (7 minutes)

Teacher: “Let’s come back together. I’ll project our AI Ethics Discussion Prompt.”

Teacher: “Who can share which group member benefited most in your scenario, and who might be harmed or excluded?”

[Invite 1–2 students to respond. Encourage others to chime in.]

Teacher: “Great. Next: what biases or assumptions might be hidden in this AI’s design or data?”

[Prompt for evidence from scenarios.]

Teacher: “Finally, how do we balance efficiency—like quick reminders or instant feedback—with genuine emotional understanding? What safeguards or design changes would make this AI more empathetic and fair?”

Follow-up prompts:
• “Can someone give an example from Scenario 2 or 3?”
• “How might this change the user’s experience?”
 
 

Individual Reflection (5 minutes)

Teacher: “Please take an Empathy Reflection Worksheet.”

Teacher: “Answer each prompt with as much detail as you can:

1. Which scenario sparked the most empathy for you, and why?
2. What emotions did you experience? How do they connect to your life?
3. If you were designing an AI to support genuine emotional connection, what features or behaviors would you include?

“I’ll walk around if you have questions. Take 4 minutes to write your responses.”
 
 

Closing and Share (3 minutes)

Teacher: “Let’s close by hearing from two volunteers. Who would like to share one insight from their reflection?”

[Invite volunteers.]

Teacher: “Thank you for sharing. Today’s key takeaway is that empathy must be central in responsible AI design—efficiency alone isn’t enough.”

Teacher: “As an optional extension, you can research an AI tool that promotes emotional well-being. Prepare a one-minute summary for next class.”

Teacher: “Great work today! Don’t forget to hand in your reflection worksheets as you leave.”