Real vs Synthetic Empathy

Why would it matter whether the empathy you receive is real or synthetic?

If you're getting empathy, and it feels emotionally supportive to you, what's the difference between it coming from a human or a chatbot? Isn't it all just the same thing?

This question came up at the end of a keynote I delivered this week at an awards dinner. 

...I'm curious how you would have responded to it...?