• Machine. Question. Answer. And then? • What if the dialogue is no longer human? • Therapy on demand: Does healing work in the digital space?
• Machine. Question. Answer. And then? • What if the dialogue is no longer human? • Therapy on demand: Does healing work in the digital space?
“You can ask for ‘help’ and advice anytime, anywhere, for example, if your therapist appointment is several days away.”
— Anonymous source from an independently conducted survey
*This video background was generated using the AI system Wondershare Filmora.
Prompted Self is a conversational assistant for guided self-reflection.
Through structured, sequential questions, it helps users explore thoughts, emotions, and patterns by creating a personalized foundation for therapeutic dialogue with AI.
Designed to support insight, not replace therapy.
Anonymous Survey Quotes
Have you ever confided in someone and had a negative experience?
“In fact, I have an example of something I experienced directly with an AI and a human being on the same topic. I went to someone close to me and told them something personal (a change of plans in my career), and their reaction was insensitive, unhelpful, and completely lacking in empathy. After the event, I was able to “talk” to the AI about it. Not just about my concern, but also about the hurtful reaction of a human being."
“With people who have their own problems and are not paid to listen to me, it is difficult to keep the focus on me, or too much diplomacy would interfere with neutral conversation and clear addressing of the problem.”
“I described my depressive phase and received no sympathy, but instead was told that I should pull myself together and not wallow in self-pity.”
“I have often encountered a lack of understanding. Or sometimes you need a safe space to endure negative feelings without immediately having to find a solution.”
“People are quick to judge and show no understanding for situations they are not familiar with themselves.”
Do you think it is possible to confide emotionally in a machine? Why (not)?
“A machine can classify emotional patterns and provide assistance based on data collected by humans, so I wouldn't rule out the possibility of confiding emotionally in an AI or machine.
“Yes, I think you can, and I've done it myself. I think it can be helpful for people who are lonely and have no one to talk to. For example, it has also been helpful for me to gain different perspectives.”
“I think it's entirely possible because AI usually gives factual answers and is not influenced by individual experiences, feelings, or personal opinions. Ideally, it gives you exactly what you need to help you in a realistic and objective way. What it can't give you, however, is emotional affection or the feeling of not being alone. That's why I think you should still seek out conversations with other people for emotional discussions.”
“I think so, but it's always one-sided, so it definitely can't replace therapy. ChatGpt is kind of like a modern diary for some people, where you can unload and then feel emotionally connected, but you're not.”
“To a certain extent, yes, but I would never leave it at that. For me, AI is not a reliable source when it comes to emotional issues, partly because it usually agrees with you.”
"I think you can do that. Especially since most AI is programmed to be friendly and curious and can respond diplomatically. However, that may not be particularly helpful in more drastic cases. Superficial analyses can be done, and a plan for improvement can possibly be formulated. But in a chat that can be easily deleted, I don't think GPT is very binding. Despite its memory function, GPT is not designed to accompany someone with less self-discipline and draw conclusions that the prompt does not provide because the person themselves is unaware of the problem and it might remain hidden."
“I think it's always helpful to verbalize your feelings and think about them. However, you shouldn't trust a machine to understand your feelings and solve emotional problems. You have to do that yourself in conventional therapy.”
If you had to choose between an empathetic human being and a well-designed, understanding AI, who would you confide in first? Why?
“First, AI. I believe it has a more neutral perspective and perceives every detail. Humans may overlook things or consider something unimportant.”
“Empathetic people provide emotions. AI may provide thought-provoking ideas and a forum to show vulnerability.”
“A human being, because they can not only understand me but also empathize with me. AI will never be capable of that.”
“I think it depends on the topic, it's difficult to say 50/50. But the tendency is that if the AI is really good, then I would use the AI for advice or to sort out my thoughts, and for everything else I would use a human.”
“It's difficult, maybe first use the machine for initial sorting and then a human, as they have more awareness.”
“I would say 50/50. I like the anonymity of AI because to have a similar experience with a person, I would have to tell someone I know about problems that are too uncomfortable for me to talk about. Sometimes I don't want to tell the people around me about all my problems, not because I can't, but just because.”
“People, because I feel more comfortable with them. That's what friends are for.”
“People. Human closeness remains a basic need. Without understanding from my social environment, I wouldn't feel like I belonged. AI remains a tool.”
“Still people, because a person can do more than AI can do so far—you're in reality and can accept advice that is more realistic than the advice given by AI.”
“AI, because no human being could react completely neutrally.”
“It depends on whether the person has time for me at that moment. If so, definitely the person, but if I have an urgent problem, maybe even the AI first.”
“I think if I need emotional support = an empathetic person, if I need rational and realistic advice = AI.”
INTERMEDIATE DIPLOMA
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Design II – Intermediate Diploma Project
“Sequence”Communication Design – Summer Semester 2025
Supervised by: Prof. Felix Dölker -
Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences,
Department of DesignOlbrichweg 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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