Empathy and Human-Computer Interaction In Social Interactive Agents.
Empathy, the ability to understand and share feelings, is vital for social connections. In Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), it means computer systems can simulate, recognize, understand, and respond to human emotions. This paper analyzes the link between empathy and HCI in computational agents. It reviews key trends, influential authors, and main research institutions by examining literature from top academic databases. The analysis shows the growth of scientific work over time, looks at keyword patterns, and finds research gaps. Results show increasing interest in creating empathetic social agents to improve user interactions. This research gives an overview of current knowledge and suggests future research directions in empathy and HCI. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of integrating empathetic features in computational agents to enhance user experience and foster trust in technology. By embedding empathy in HCI, we can develop more inclusive and accessible applications that cater to diverse emotional needs. This comprehensive analysis not only maps the current landscape but also provides actionable insights for future advancements in the field.