Gefühle der Zukunft

What does the idea of feeling machines mean for us humans? Everyone is talking about ChatGPT, LaMDA, and similar large language models that answer knowledge questions, write texts, and even engage in personal conversations with us. Although the invention and design of these language systems do not aim at feelings but are solely focused on language processing, a debate has ignited in recent years over whether these systems could feel in any way or develop some form of consciousness. And even if they are merely simulating everything: What does this mean for us and our emotionality? What kind of interaction with them is problematic, reprehensible, or a welcome addition to our world?

Affective Computing is the branch of AI research that must be addressed for this topic, as it provides the technical foundations: the replication of human emotionality, the ability to recognize emotions in others, and the targeted stimulation and simulation of feelings. Eva Weber-Guskar clarifies in which areas this emotionalized AI is already being used and encourages a discussion from a philosophical perspective on how it should be responsibly further developed and applied.