AI + Emotion. Can Machines Really Feel… or Just Fake It?
By Joel Leslie
Season 1, Episode 9
Duration: 00:05:48
Episode summary
AI can write poetry, compose music, and generate human-like empathy in chat. But does it actually feel anything, or is it just mimicking emotional intelligence? In this episode of Decoded, Joel delves into the blurred lines between emotional simulation and genuine experience. We’ll unpack how AI models are trained to imitate sentiment, the risks of emotional manipulation, and the surprising power of emotional resonance, even if it’s synthetic. You’ll learn: How AI reads and mimics emotional cues The science of sentiment analysis and empathy modelling The risks of emotional deception in AI-powered systems Why emotion is still one of humanity’s strongest differentiators Resources & frameworks: promptengineeringcookbook.com Next episode: AI and Trust, Misinformation, Deepfakes & Verification.
About Decoded: AI for Everyone
Decoded: AI for Everyone is Joel Leslie's non-technical podcast about artificial intelligence and its impact on work, creativity, decision-making, trust and everyday life. The series helps listeners understand AI without hype, jargon or fear, connecting practical examples to broader questions about technology, people and society.
Joel Leslie is an Australian AI, data and digital transformation leader specialising in safe AI adoption, AI governance, AI ethics and data governance.
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