Robots can be used to track emotions via sweat, scientists say - Sweat—it's something we all produce, something we often try to avoid. But what if your sweat could tell the world how you're feeling? A recent study suggests that robots may soon be able to do just that, by analyzing changes in your skin's electrical conductivity. Sounds like science fiction? Maybe not for long!

Curious? Click on to learn more about the finding that may soon unlock a new level of understanding between humans and machines.

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The good and the bad -

The rise of artificial intelligence, from helpful virtual assistants to engaging chatbots and even increasingly sophisticated virtual companions, is undeniable. However, this rapid advancement also fuels concerns about the potential for automation to displace human roles.

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Different opinions -

AI is revolutionizing fields like health care, education, and disaster prevention, delivering impressive results, while its foray into more unconventional domains has sparked considerable debate.

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Human touch - While machines excel at tasks that would overwhelm human capabilities, such as processing massive datasets or retrieving information in a fraction of a second, we like to think people are still needed for things that require thinking, creativity, and understanding emotions.

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More nuanced -

While we may be less apprehensive about machines replacing jobs that demand intense computational or analytical skills, tasks requiring empathy, nuanced communication, and emotional intelligence were traditionally considered safe from automation.

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Shifting perspective -

Interestingly, a growing number of people appear to be increasingly comfortable entrusting complex tasks to digital entities. This is evidenced by the significant portion of Americans who would contemplate receiving therapy from an AI therapist.

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Virtual connections -

Or as evidenced by the growing number of people engaging in romantic relationships with AI. An estimated 52 million users across the six major AI companion dating apps seek this type of connection, despite the inherent risks.

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Decoding humans - A recent study suggests that robots may actually possess the uncanny ability to discern our emotions. While this prospect might trigger unease in some, scientists believe it could also unlock significant benefits.

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New study -

Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University measured skin conductance—a measure of how well skin conducts electricity—by attaching fingertip sensors in 33 participants while they watched a variety of emotionally charged videos, including horror clips, comedies, and family reunions.

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Can't hide it -

Because our skin conducts electricity differently when we sweat, the researchers found that these changes accurately reflected emotions like fear, surprise, and happiness while people watched the videos, proving that skin conductance can reliably measure how people feel in real time.

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Combining methods -

The scientists suggest that skin conductance, when combined with other physiological signals such as heart rate and brain activity, could be a crucial component in the development of emotionally intelligent technologies and services.

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Innovative approach -

The paper highlights that current emotion-detection technologies primarily rely on facial recognition and speech analysis. These methods, however, often lack reliability, especially when video and audio quality are poor, and also raise significant privacy concerns, according to the research team.

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Real-time response -

Skin conductance could offer a promising solution. When we experience emotions, our sweat glands become more active, subtly altering the electrical conductivity of our skin. These physiological changes occur rapidly, within one to three seconds, providing near-instantaneous feedback on a person's emotional state.

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Reacting differently -

The study found that different emotions have unique patterns in how our bodies react. Fear responses lasted the longest, likely rooted in how staying alert to danger helped our ancestors survive, as noted by the researchers.

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Reacting differently -

The study found that humor made people react the fastest, but these reactions didn't last long. According to the research team, the reason isn't yet fully understood, as there isn't much research on how skin conductance changes with humor and fear.

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Reacting differently -

Emotions like happiness and sadness mixed, which the researchers called "family bonding emotions," and caused slower reactions. They believe this might be precisely because of the conflicting nature of the two emotions.

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Future applications -

While not perfect, the researchers believe that combining this method with other physiological signals, such as heart rate and brain activity, could significantly improve accuracy and accelerate its application in emerging technologies.

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Current applications -

While the idea of a robot monitoring your emotions through sweat might seem unusual or even unsettling to some, it might not be that big of a leap, considering we already wear devices like smartwatches that track various physiological functions.

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Can we trust it? -

While the study's primary focus wasn't on robotics, the potential applications for systems capable of responding to human emotions are vast and promising.

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Calming effect -

These could hypothetically include smart devices that play soothing music upon detecting emotions such as stress or anger.

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Connecting people -

Other applications could include systems that initiate video calls with family or friends, or connect with streaming platforms to suggest content tailored to the user's current emotional state.

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Daily support -

Providing proactive support for daily routines, which can sometimes be a source of anxiety, such as gentle reminders for medication or exercise, can help combat feelings of isolation and improve overall well-being.

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Counseling buddy -

By reflecting how someone might be feeling, even when they are unable to fully express it, these systems can provide valuable data for therapeutic counseling. Furthermore, they could potentially engage in empathetic conversations, offering comforting words and providing a listening ear.

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Adapting environment -

Existing home automation could be significantly improved by integrating emotion-sensing. This would allow for personalized adjustments, such as lighting and temperature, to better suit individuals experiencing sensory overload, stress, or anxiety.

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Helping hand -

Emotionally-attuned systems could potentially identify situations where individuals struggle to maintain proper hydration, nutrition, and sleep, all of which are vital for both physical and mental well-being.

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Mindfulness coach -

Systems augmented with emotion-sensing technology could, upon detecting a need, offer personalized relaxation techniques, such as guided meditations or deep breathing exercises, to alleviate stress and anxiety.

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Cognitive functions -

Proactively having these devices share stories, jokes, or trivia can not only stimulate cognitive function and provide entertainment, but also address potential feelings of loneliness, a key concern for many seniors and isolated individuals.

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Still controversial -

While the ethical implications of AI analyzing human emotions remain a subject of debate, the researchers acknowledge a growing demand for technologies that infer individuals' emotional states from physiological signals to personalize services.

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Ongoing research -

They emphasize the importance of further research, particularly on skin conductance, to improve emotion recognition capabilities.

Source: (Live Science)

See also: AI capabilities—predicting deaths and understanding thoughts

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