Are moral and ethical boundaries crossed when the design of affective systems allows them to develop intimate relationships with their users?
## BackgroundThere are many robots in development or production designed to focus on intimate care of children, adults, and the elderly
1. While robots capable of participating fully in intimate relationships are not currently available, the potential use of such robots routinely captures the attention of the media. It is important that professional communities, policy makers, and the general public participate in development of guidelines for appropriate use of A/IS in this area. Those guidelines should acknowledge fundamental human rights to highlight potential ethical benefits and risks that may emerge, ifand when affective systems interact intimately with users. Among the many areas of concern are the representation of care, embodiment of caringA/IS, and the sensitivity of data generated through intimate and caring relationships withA/IS. The literature suggests that there are some potential benefits to individuals and to society from the incorporation of caring A/IS, along with duly cautionary notes concerning the possibility that these systems could negatively impact human-to-human intimate relations
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