Facial Recognition and Personal Autonomy:

Ethical Dilemmas of Surveillance in the AI age

Abstract

In recent years, facial recognition technology has become a prominent form of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, significantly impacting society. Although this technology offers various benefits, its application faces numerous ethical criticisms. While previous studies have focused on privacy concerns related to facial recognition technology, this study argues that these technical challenges and privacy issues are deeply connected to the broader ethical problem of autonomy, and explores the specific impact of facial recognition technology on individual autonomy. This study argues that facial recognition technology affects personal autonomy in two major ways. Algorithmic bias and data manipulation interfere with personal judgment, undermining autonomy by influencing decision-making processes. Additionally, the erosion of intellectual privacy restricts the freedom to think and explore ideas without external oversight, further weakening individual autonomy. Section 2 explores autonomy as a crucial ethical value in the age of artificial intelligence. Section 3 identifies the specific risks that facial recognition technology poses to individual autonomy. Finally, Section 4 discusses the necessary considerations for balancing the benefits of facial recognition technology with its ethical risks. This approach reevaluates the concept of autonomy in the age of AI and adds new depth to ethical and social discussions thereof.