Exploring Human Responses in Conversations with AI Entities

This study argues that while AI systems have become increasingly advanced, they still evoke distinct emotional responses compared to human interactions, potentially limiting their effectiveness in emotionally-driven environments. We used the Emotiv Insight brain-computer interface to monitor participants' emotional responses during controlled interactions with both AI systems and other humans. Key emotional metrics, such as arousal, focus, and stress, were recorded in real time, providing a detailed picture of the emotional dynamics at play in each type of interaction. Participants exhibited higher levels of excitement, stress, and focus during interactions with humans compared to AI systems, while other emotions like engagement and pleasure were relatively similar across both interaction types. These findings reveal that AI systems may struggle to evoke the same intensity of emotional responses as human interactions. Understanding these emotional differences is crucial for refining AI systems to foster more emotionally engaging and natural user experiences, contributing to the development of more effective communication tools in human-AI interactions.