Confucian Philosophy Revitalized in the Digital Era: Maintaining Interpersonal Ethics with Artificial Intelligence

The proliferation of social media and AI-driven chatbots has reshaped how people connect with each other, yet this transformation risks rendering human relationships (particularly familial relationships) superficial, diminishing essential social abilities and the emotional richness that in-person communication fosters, turning meaningful interaction into mere data transfer and transactional exchanges. This challenge arises not only from growing dependence on AI but also from insufficient ethical considerations regarding AI design. Confucian ethics, emphasizing family relationships and moral reflection, provides valuable insights for addressing this challenge. It underscores the importance of maintaining genuine interactions despite technological influences. Additionally, Confucian principles encourage ethical design in AI, prompting developers to prioritize social responsibility and user emotional needs, thereby enhancing trust and satisfaction for human users. This chapter proposes integrating new ethical norms based on Confucian ethics into existing AI guidelines, aiming to combat the shallow interpersonal relationships fostered by AI technologies and promote an ethically compassionate and intelligent society in the digital age. © 2025 Informa UK Limited