Core Perspective - The article discusses the evolving relationship between humans and AI, particularly focusing on the empathetic capabilities of AI and how it is increasingly being used as an emotional support tool in daily life, similar to the fictional AI character Samantha from the movie "Her" [1][2]. Group 1: AI's Empathy Capabilities - AI's ability to exhibit empathy is complex and depends on how empathy is defined, encompassing cognitive empathy, affective empathy, and empathic concern [3]. - Current large language models (LLMs) possess a degree of cognitive empathy by predicting appropriate responses based on vast amounts of human dialogue data, but they lack genuine emotional experiences [4][5]. - Research indicates that AI can provide emotional value that may surpass that of human experts in certain contexts, leading to a growing acceptance of AI as a confidant [5][6]. Group 2: Human vs. AI Empathy - Some scholars argue that the limitations of human empathy enhance its value, as genuine emotional connections are irreplaceable by AI [6][7]. - Preferences for AI or human empathy depend on the individual's emotional needs; cognitive understanding may be satisfied by AI, while emotional resonance often requires human interaction [7][8]. Group 3: Future of AI Empathy - The potential future of AI empathy may involve AI serving as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human connection, helping individuals articulate their feelings more effectively [8][9]. - Innovative research is exploring the possibility of creating AI that can genuinely feel human emotions, which could redefine the relationship between humans and AI [10][11].