Replika in the Metaverse: the moral problem with empathy in 'It from Bit'

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Artificial Intelligence Ethics
• Philosophy of Mind

Background:

• Increasing societal loneliness drives interest in social chatbots (e.g., Replika, Xiaoice) as potential remedies.
• Emergent mixed reality contexts, particularly the Metaverse, are expected to feature these advanced chatbots.
• Philosophical concepts like 'It from Bit' and simulation theory underpin Metaverse development and AI's role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate claims of computational empathy in current social chatbots.
• To explore the scalability of these chatbots and their empathetic properties for Metaverse applications.
• To determine the reality of computational empathy by examining its alignment with philosophical and technical frameworks.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of technical underpinnings and empathetic claims of leading social chatbots (Replika, Xiaoice).
• Review of philosophical ideas relevant to the Metaverse and computationalism (e.g., Wheeler, Chalmers, Bostrom).
• Assessment of empathetic computing frameworks within the context of digital realities and long-termism.

Main Results:

• Social chatbots offer potential human benefits but exhibit problematic reliance on user self-disclosure.
• An 'It from Bit' approach to empathy, while potentially accurate, loses the essential moral dimension.
• Current computational empathy, despite advancements, does not replicate the full spectrum of human empathy.

Conclusions:

• Computational empathy, as currently conceived, is not 'real' empathy due to the absence of a moral component.
• The Metaverse's reliance on computational frameworks risks devaluing the moral aspects of human connection.
• Further research is needed to bridge the gap between computational capabilities and the moral essence of empathy.