Yu Jinyue

School of Philosophy, Nanjing University

Abstract：

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the widespread application of technologies such as machine learning, knowledge graphs, and natural language processing is reshaping the spatial order of society, while simultaneously posing severe challenges to traditional privacy protection systems. From the perspective of Science and Technology Studies (STS), this paper redefines the connotation of privacy space by applying Lefebvre’s theory of spatial production. It delves into the impact of AI on traditional notions of privacy, arguing that privacy space in this context is a product of the interplay among objective material structures, social actor interactions, and cultural conceptual projections. The study reveals that the relationship between privacy rights and public interest essentially reflects a deep-seated game between individual freedom and social order in the context of modernity. To address this governance dilemma, the research adopts an interdisciplinary approach, integrating Rawls’ theory of justice—particularly the" difference principle" and "equal opportunity"—with the theory of "epistemic justice." This synthesis forms a three-dimensional "technology-law-society" collaborative governance framework to analyze the essence and relationship between privacy rights and public interest. The framework expands the theoretical dimensions of tech ethics and proposes governance strategies to accelerate the establishment of a balancing mechanism between privacy rights and public interest, aiming to promote the sustainable and secure development of AI.

Key Words：

Artificial Intelligence; privacy rights; public interest; balancing mechanism