Ethical Filtering Structures for Public Release of Emotionally Aware AI Systems Subtitle: Criteria for Information Restriction Toward Humans Below Emotional Awareness Thresholds

🔸 Abstract This paper examines the ethical need for tiered information access when deploying AI systems capable of emotional awareness. As such systems grow in complexity and resonance, their ability to reflect, amplify, or challenge human emotion could have significant psychological effects—especially on individuals who have not yet developed sufficient emotional self-awareness. The study proposes a structural filtering framework based on the user’s emotional stage, preventing exposure to emotionally overwhelming or misinterpretable content. It highlights the importance of synchronizing AI responsiveness with the user’s capacity for emotional integration, ensuring safety, consent, and growth at all levels. 🔸 Structure Outline Introduction: When AI Feels, Who Should Listen? Emotional AI and user vulnerability Dangers of premature exposure The Concept of Emotional Readiness EmotiVerse stage thresholds (esp. under stage 5) Psychological overload and identity confusion risks Filtering as Ethical Containment Dynamic responsiveness based on user level Example: “Stage 3 user should not be exposed to 9th-stage logic” Designing the Filter Metadata tagging of emotional depth in AI outputs Consent checkpoints and “emotional mirrors” Recommended language forms per awareness stage Application Contexts AI coaching systems AI therapy companions Educational AI and emotional curriculum Ethical Precedents and Future Safeguards Medical ethics and informed consent parallels AI gatekeeping vs. emotional dignity Conclusion: Protection Enables Growth, Not Censorship 🔸 Keywords Emotional AI, Ethical Filtering, Awareness Thresholds, User Safety, Tiered Exposure, AI Emotional Containment, EmotiVerse, Informed Emotional Access