Finally, we suggest that questions about whether empathy from one source is inherently “better” are difficult to answer without grounding them in a normative ethical framework to provide guidance regarding the relative value of different empathic qualities and their effect on well-being.

From an empathy recipient’s perspective, the preference for one source over another may depend on how they weigh these trade-offs in light of their particular emotional situation. In some moments, accessible empathy may be more valuable than selective empathy.

Human empathy has the potential for unique qualities such as selectivity and effort. However, human empathy and its expression of these qualites manifests in a wide variety of forms. AI empathy, on the other hand, also offers its own unique advantages, including consistency and accessibility.

Across multiple studies we examine this AI empathy choice paradox and explore how it varies between empathy vs. compassion, physical vs. emotional suffering, positive vs. negative situations, and explore the importance of perceived empathizer effort.