# Wild Narratives: Exploring the Effects of Animal Chatbots on Empathy and Positive Attitudes toward Animals

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.06060 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.06060/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 4 of its 87 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 9 Nov 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [The Design and Implementation of XiaoIce, an Empathetic Social Chatbot](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1812.08989/) (2018)
- [Effects of Persuasive Dialogues: Testing Bot Identities and Inquiry Strategies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2001.04564/) (2020)
- [Design and Evaluation of a Socially Assistive Robot Schoolwork Companion for College Students with ADHD](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.06289/) (2024)
- [AniBalloons: Animated Chat Balloons as Affective Augmentation for Social Messaging and Chatbot Interaction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2408.06294/) (2024)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Exploring the Effects of Chatbot Anthropomorphism and Human Empathy on Human Prosocial Behavior Toward Chatbots](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.20748/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Rises in the number of animal abuse cases are reported around the world. While chatbots have been effective in influencing their users' perceptions and behaviors, little if any research has hitherto explored the design of chatbots that embody animal identities for the purpose of eliciting empathy toward animals. We therefore conducted a mixed-methods experiment to investigate how specific design cues in such chatbots can shape their users' perceptions of both the chatbots' identities and the type of animal they represent. Our findings indicate that such chatbots can significantly increase empathy, improve attitudes, and promote prosocial behavioral intentions toward animals, particularly when they incorporate emotional verbal expressions and authentic details of such animals' lives. These results expand our understanding of chatbots with non-human identities and highlight their potential for use in conservation initiatives, suggesting a promising avenue whereby technology could foster a more informed and empathetic society.