Compassionate AI Design, Governance, and Use

Abstract

The rapid rise of generative AI reshapes society, transforming jobs, relationships, and core beliefs about human essence. AI’s ability to simulate empathy, once considered uniquely human, offers promise in industries from marketing to healthcare but also risks exploiting emotional vulnerabilities, fostering dependency, and compromising privacy. These risks are particularly acute with AI companion chatbots, which mimic emotional speech but may erode genuine human connections. Rooted in Schopenhauer’s compassionate imperative, we present a novel framework for compassionate AI design, governance, and use, emphasizing equitable distribution of AI’s benefits and burdens based on stakeholder vulnerability. We advocate for responsible AI development that prioritizes empathy, dignity, and human flourishing.