Practical Capacities, Empathy, and Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence
Abstract
This chapter explores some conceptual connections between human-centered artificial intelligence (HCAI) research and empathic AI. First, I argue that HCAI is best understood as a framework that centers human well-being in AI development and deployment. Second, I argue a fruitful way to make the framework more precise is by focusing on human practical capacities. I use empathy as a case study, examining recent positive accounts of empathic AI from the perspective of a well-being-focused HCAI. Finally, I note how this approach relates to recent calls for a sociotechnical perspective on AI.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
Innovative Human-Technology Interaction
Social Robot Interaction and HRI
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Cambridge University Press eBooks
- Pages
- 249–260
- Publication date
- 5 September 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter