From Artificial Intelligence to Artificial Empathy: What is the Future of Education?

Abstract

At a time when technologies, especially artificial intelligence, are able to provide highly personalized and accessible learning opportunities, is it fair to ask whether ‘human-mediated’ teaching is really superior to ‘technology-mediated’ teaching? Indeed, what are the factors that lead us to prefer human interaction in education? Empathy, adaptability and the ability to motivate are undoubtedly among the aspects that characterize the human teacher, but can we really consider these elements as irreplaceable, or could technology in some cases provide equally effective solutions? Based on an analysis of national and international literature using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) systematic review method, the following paper aims to reflect on this issue and examine its main implications and challenges.