Offstone JANUARY 2024 EDITION

34 Ethical Consideration - Security and Privacy, Emotion Recognition, and Personalization The integration of AI in communication brings about ethical considerations that need careful attention. As AI applications often involve processing large amounts of personal data, privacy concerns are the first question that really matters. As the nature of the Internet allows a free flow of almost all information, privacy has always become an online favourite issue. As protecting user privacy is paramount, the developers at one hand must implement robust privacy measures. This is to ensure that sensitive information is handled securely. On the other, it is essential to provide clear consent mechanisms as well as to implement transparent data usage policies. For example, reliance on AI in communication has led to new cybersecurity challenges. AI systems can be vulnerable to attacks, which opens more complex issues than one could have imagined. Thus, securing these systems against malicious activities is crucial to prevent issues like unauthorised access, data breaches, and other security threats. Putting all trust in AI assistance creates challenges in understanding how decisions are made. This shows that there is a lack of transparency that could lead to distrust among the users, too. Second, AI systems are argued for their capacity to analyze emotions or simulate human-like interactions as this may contribute to affecting the users’ emotional and psychological orders. It includes critical issues such as the potential impact on privacy, individual rights, and potential misuse. Users should be fully aware of how their emotional data will be collected, processed, and used. As this can be seen as a type of manipulation or exploitation of individuals, there is a need to regulate data such as targeted advertising or content delivery based on emotional states. Cultural sensitivity is another element that AI may not generalize well to others. Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in emotion recognition systems are essential to avoid reinforcing cultural stereotypes or biases. Besides. lack of cultural sensitivity may lead to societal impacts, changes in behaviour, and psychological effects on individuals who are aware of being emotionally monitored. Finally, the use of AI needs careful attention to ensure responsible and fair practices, especially those that involve personal data available online. The misusage of their personal data online, exposing their bank account information or identity card numbers, for instance, should enhance user experiences without compromising autonomy. At this point, users should be able to understand and control their own parameters of personalization, including the ability to adjust preferences and settings. However, these adjustments require AI literacy, which could be a disadvantage for those who are not. As preferences and attitudes change over time, implementing dynamic consent mechanisms may allow users to update their preferences and choices as their needs and values evolve. This ensures ongoing respect for user autonomy.