A recent study published in Communications Psychology suggests that AI understands emotions better than humans. Researchers from the University of Geneva and the University of Bern evaluated emotional intelligence (EI) in large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Claude, using established EI tests. The AI scored 81% in selecting appropriate emotional responses, significantly outperforming human participants, who averaged 56%.
Experts caution that the study’s methodology, primarily multiple-choice tests, may not reflect real-world emotional interactions. AI excels at recognizing patterns and predictable emotional cues, but this does not equate to true emotional understanding. Critics argue that the nuanced, contextual nature of human emotions is oversimplified in such tests, and AI may not perform as well in dynamic situations. However, some practical applications, like the AI Aílton—used by truck drivers in Brazil—show promise, identifying emotional states with 80% accuracy in real-time interactions. Overall, while AI may recognize emotional cues effectively, claiming it fully understands human emotions is considered overstated.