Teaching Empathy to Robots (Even When They're Not Very Good at It) 🤖

photo by Stella Brown

Switch isn’t what you’d call a warm presence.

They’re direct. They’re impatient. And they’re known to say things like, “That sounds like a personal problem,” in response to actual personal problems. They don’t comfort. They don’t sugar-coat. They do not, under any circumstances, understand feelings. But Mabel hasn’t given up on them. And strangely, that’s where the heart of the story begins.

When Logic Meets Feelings

Switch operates on facts, not emotions. If someone is upset, they’ll ask what purpose crying serves. If someone makes a mistake, they’ll point it out immediately, regardless of tone or context. They’re not trying to be unkind. They simply don't know any other way to be.

Mabel Keeps Trying

Mabel, on the other hand, feels everything. She overthinks, overcares, and occasionally overreacts. But she’s patient. Even when Switch is blunt to the point of rudeness, she takes the time to explain. Sometimes once. Sometimes ten times.

Switch doesn’t always listen. But every now and then, they do.

Sometimes it shows in a small moment. Standing beside Mabel when she’s upset. Sharing something they know she likes, but pretending it was accidental. Staying quiet instead of making a sarcastic remark.

It's not much, but it's a change.

Switch Isn't Softening. They're Learning.

This isn't a tale of transformation. Switch isn’t turning into a kind, empathetic friend. They still say the wrong thing. They still make things worse. But they’re starting to realise when they’ve upset someone. They don’t always know what to do next, but they’re beginning to notice. That’s the first step.

The Power of Staying

What makes Mabel remarkable isn’t just her patience. It’s her decision to stay. She chooses to keep trying with someone who doesn’t understand her completely, because she sees something in them worth sticking around for. That’s empathy. It’s not about grand gestures or dramatic breakthroughs. Sometimes, it’s just continuing to show up, even when it’s difficult - especially then.