Sympathetic apps can offer virtual shoulder to cry on

摘要

Some people always know how to offer comfort. Now computers are learning the knack too, assisted by an algorithm that aims to deliver the right words at the right time. 'There's a lot of need for emotional support at the moment," says Judith Masthoff at the University of Aberdeen, UK. "We have increased rates of mental health issues, and this has led to increased rates of informal care." Masthoff suggests that people could soon be turning to apps.