The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into social-emotional roles is creating significant shifts in various industries traditionally dominated by human interaction, particularly in education and mental health services. According to Wired, the emerging sector of social-emotional AI challenges conventional notions of jobs that fundamentally rely on emotional connections, such as therapists, educators, and coaches.
As AI technology develops, it is increasingly being implemented in educational frameworks. For instance, Vedantu, a web-based tutoring platform based in India and valued at $1 billion, utilizes AI to monitor student engagement. Similarly, a Finnish startup has developed “Annie Advisor,” a chatbot currently aiding over 60,000 students by providing emotional support and directing them to further services. Berlin-based startup clare&me has introduced an AI-driven audio bot therapist described as “your 24/7 mental health ally,” while in the UK, Limbic offers a chatbot named “Limbic Care,” touted as a “friendly therapy companion.”
The rise of such AI applications raises pertinent questions about who will ultimately benefit from this technological shift. Historically, affluent individuals have been the early adopters of technology but also understand the intrinsic value of human attention. For example, an experimental school in Silicon Valley has adopted a blended learning model that incorporates both technology and human guidance. Initially reliant on computer programs to teach subjects such as reading and maths, the institution has since recognised the limitations of automated education, leading to increased interactions with human educators. Students now engage with apps like Quill and Tynker in the morning, followed by small group lessons for complex concepts led by teachers, alongside weekly one-on-one sessions with advisers who monitor progress and ensure emotional connection.
Research underscores the importance of human relationships in fields like healthcare, counselling, and education, where good interpersonal connections are linked to improved outcomes. A study conducted in the UK, titled “Is Efficiency Overrated?”, found that those who interact with a barista experience greater well-being compared to individuals who merely pass by. Findings from various studies indicate that enhanced socialisation and meaningful conversations foster a sense of connectedness among individuals.
However, the increased pressure for efficiency and cost-cutting has affected many workers, now tasked with establishing personal connections while managing limited time with students and patients. This, in turn, contributes to a growing crisis of depersonalisation, characterised by feelings of alienation and loneliness. Research from the United States reveals that over half of primary care physicians report feeling stressed due to time constraints and demanding work conditions. One pediatrician commented on this issue saying: “I don’t invite people to open up because I don’t have time. You know, everyone deserves as much time as they need... but it’s not profitable.”
The emergence of personal service occupations—such as personal trainers and investment advisors—termed “wealth work” by an economist, illustrates how affluent individuals are addressing these needs through in-person services. Conversely, the question arises regarding access for those less privileged. For some, AI presents a viable alternative. Engineers working on projects such as virtual nursing assistants and AI therapists have alluded to their technology operating as a necessary stopgap for individuals unable to secure the attention of busy healthcare professionals or those unable to afford therapy services. This reflects the broader societal landscape described by economist John Kenneth Galbraith as embodying “private affluence and public squalor.”
The evolving landscape of AI in social-emotional roles illustrates a complex interaction between technology, human connection, and socioeconomic disparities, transforming how education and mental health support are delivered.
Source: Noah Wire Services