29 Fostering Digital Empathy Through an Interactive Art Installation: A Cross-Disciplinary Study on Affective Computing and User Experience

Integrating Bio-Sensing Technology with Generative Art to Enhance Socio-Emotional Connection

Abstract

Background (Why): While affective computing has made strides in recognizing human emotions, a significant gap remains in translating this recognition into tangible, shared experiences that foster digital empathy. Existing systems often lack a dynamic, reciprocal feedback loop, limiting their capacity to deepen socio-emotional connections in technology-mediated environments. Method (How): This study employed a mixed-methods approach, centered on the design and evaluation of an interactive art installation named "Aura Connect." The system integrates real-time physiological data (Electrocardiogram - ECG and Galvanic Skin Response - GSR) from two users via bio-sensing technology. Practice (With what): A custom algorithm translates the collected bio-data into a co-created, dynamic piece of generative art, visually representing the users' shared emotional state. The study involved 60 participants (30 pairs) who interacted with the installation, followed by quantitative data analysis using ANOVA and qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews. Conclusion (What): The results demonstrate a statistically significant increase in perceived empathy and social connection (p < 0.001) for participants using the interactive installation compared to a control group viewing a static display. Three core themes emerged from the qualitative data: Embodied Connection, Shared Vulnerability, and Aesthetic Resonance, which were strongly correlated with quantitative metrics of user engagement and emotional valence. Significance (So what): This research provides a novel, empirically-validated framework for designing systems that promote digital empathy. The findings suggest that integrating bio-feedback with generative art offers a powerful medium for making invisible emotional states visible and shareable, presenting significant implications for fields such as remote collaboration, mental health technology, and human-computer interaction design.