A Preliminary Investigation of Confucianism’s Impact on Privacy Debates in A.I. and Technology Ethics

With the widespread availability of personal information on the internet and its potential unauthorized disclosure, the rapid advancement of technology has brought forth numerous ethical challenges. Balancing the conflict between privacy and information collection is a pressing concern that necessitates thoughtful consideration from all stakeholders. Philosophers play a crucial role in providing a moral framework to address this conflict. While ongoing debates on privacy persist in the Western context, this chapter focuses on evaluating the contribution and limitations of Confucianism to these discussions. Specifically, it examines the debate’s central issues of uncertainty and risk associated with privacy violations and highlights the significance of the intimacy account within Confucian thought. By analyzing Confucianism’s emphasis on intimate relationships, particularly within the family structure, this chapter argues that it offers a unique perspective for addressing privacy concerns. However, it also acknowledges the limitations of applying Confucianism to the privacy debates in A.I. and technology ethics, cautioning against oversimplifying the discussion into an East-West dichotomy. Drawing from the aforementioned analysis, this chapter further explores the evaluation of privacy issues in practical examples and applications within the realm of A.I. and technology ethics. These examples include the ethical implications of Chatbots interacting with deceased individuals and the utilization of technologies in education in both physical and virtual classrooms.