Can AI ‘feel’ guilt?

Artificial intelligence that ‘feels’ guilt could lead to more cooperation

An image of a computer keyboard with a return button that says sorry

Creating a sense of guilt helps social networks cooperate, new research suggests.

Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

Some sci-fi scenarios depict robots as cold-hearted clankers eager to manipulate human stooges. But that’s not the only possible path for artificial intelligence.

Humans have evolved emotions like anger, sadness and gratitude to help us think, interact and build mutual trust.