Exploring the potential of AI in nurturing learner empathy, pro-social values and environmental stewardship

Context: This study investigates the integration of generative and traditional Artificial Intelligence (AI), along with physiological, neuro-ergonomic wearables and environmental sensors, to enhance learners' understanding of their emotional states and foster empathy and environmental stewardship in Singapore. The increasing issue of anthropogenic environmental pollution serves as a backdrop, necessitating innovative approaches to comprehend the emotional and physiological implications of environmental changes on individuals. Aims: The primary aim is to explore how generative AI can introduce emotionally potent hypothetical environmental scenarios to elicit strong emotional responses in learners. This approach seeks to deepen the understanding of how environmental factors influence physiological and mental states, ultimately fostering empathy and pro-environmental attitudes among learners. Methods: The study involved two experiments with participants equipped with DIY electrodermal activity (EDA) wristbands to monitor stress and emotional responses. The first experiment examined the relationship between cognitive stress and environmental factors in various microclimatic conditions. The second experiment assessed the impact of generative AI depicting environmental degradation on participants’ emotional arousal and valence, using machine learning models for data analysis. Findings: Results indicated that fluctuations in temperature and air quality significantly affect participants' cognitive stress and emotional valence. Additionally, viewing images of environmental degradation resulted in heightened emotional responses. In particular, engaging with generative AI to alter images of polluted environments led to increased emotional arousal and negative emotions. Implications: The findings suggest that AI can serve dual functions: as a tool for analytical insights and as a catalyst for emotional engagement. This underscores the potential of generative AI in education to raise awareness about climate change and promote environmental stewardship. The study highlights the need for further exploration into AI's role in eliciting emotions to enhance empathy and proactive behaviours towards environmental issues, paving the way for better understanding individual responses to climate change within educational contexts.

Keywords

artificial intelligence, generative AI, environmental data, electrodermal activity, mental health, sensors, machine learning, internet of things

Permanent link to cite this item

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14069/1322
https://doi.org/10.71779/786

Collections

DI-IDEA AI for Education (AI4E) Competition 2025