Neuroscience, Empathy, and Artificial Intelligence

Venue

Bangalore International Centre

Address

7, 4th Main Road, Domlur II Stage Bangalore, Karnataka 560071 India

Dates and Times

Tuesday, February 3, 2026, from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM

Prices and Tickets

Free entry on a first-come, first-served basis upon RSVP and availability. RSVP is required.

Speaker

Akila Kadambi, Postdoctoral Scholar, Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences (UCLA); Brain and Creativity Institute, USC.

Activity Description

This talk will explore the intersection of neuroscience, empathy, and artificial intelligence, addressing the practical necessity of developing empathic AI systems. Akila Kadambi will delve into the neural mechanisms underlying empathy and social understanding, drawing from cognitive and social neuroscience. She will connect these insights to recent advancements in AI, including large language and multimodal models, to assess the current capabilities and shortcomings of AI in social alignment. The presentation will highlight how neuroscience can contribute to the design of more socially aligned AI. A Q&A session with the audience will follow the talk.

Akila Kadambi's postdoctoral research investigates the neural mechanisms of empathy and social perception through functional neuroimaging, non-invasive brain stimulation, and neuroethological methods. Her current studies examine how narratives and music foster belonging, how the brain supports rehumanization of marginalized groups, and how humanistic neuroscience can inform the development of more trustworthy and empathic AI systems. Her research is supported by Google Research, the Aspen Institute NeuroArts Blueprint, Templeton World Foundation, and Dana Foundation, and published in NeuroImage, Journal of Neuroscience, and Psychonomic Bulletin & Review.