Artificial Empathy and Spiritual Care

Limits of AI-Mediated Compassion in Chaplaincy

Bibliographic Data

ID24225241
AuthorsPiotr Roszak (0000-0002-2723-2667), Leandro Gaitán
Year2026
Publication date2026-10-09
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Religion and Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4197 • E-ISSN: 1573-6571
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s10943-026-02811-2
PMID42853315
OpenAlexW7221167296
LanguageEN
References cited43

This article examines whether artificial intelligence can genuinely participate in practices of care within healthcare settings and what implications this development has for healthcare chaplaincy. Drawing on recent research on artificial empathy, the paper argues that AI can support caregiving practices instrumentally but cannot replace the interpersonal and relational dimensions constitutive of authentic care. The analysis introduces the concept of cognitive safety as a framework for evaluating AI-mediated interactions in contexts of vulnerability. Particular attention is given to empathy, responsibility, practical wisdom, and relational presence as dimensions that remain irreducibly human. The article concludes that chaplaincy should adopt a model of balanced integration in which AI serves as a supportive tool while preserving the centrality of human encounter, spiritual accompaniment, and moral agency.

artificial empathy · cognitive safety · Compassion · healthcare chaplaincy · human encounter · Moral agency · Practical wisdom · relational presence · Spiritual care · Vulnerability · Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare · Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education · Media, Religion, Digital Communication · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

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