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Leveraging Blockchain for Ethical AI: Mitigating Digital Threats and Strengthening Societal Resilience

Author

Listed:
  • Chibuzor Udokwu

    (Austrian Blockchain Center, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

  • Roxana Voicu-Dorobanțu

    (Faculty of International Business and Economics, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Abiodun Afolayan Ogunyemi

    (School of Digital Technologies, Tallinn University, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Alex Norta

    (School of Digital Technologies, Tallinn University, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia
    Department of Informatics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • Nata Sturua

    (Austrian Blockchain Center, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

  • Stefan Craß

    (Austrian Blockchain Center, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

This position paper proposes a conceptual framework (CF-BIAI-SXT) for integrating blockchain with AI to enhance ethical governance, transparency, and privacy in high-risk AI applications that ensure societal resilience through the mitigation of sexual exploitation. Sextortion is a growing form of digital sexual exploitation, and the role of AI in its mitigation and the ethical issues that arise provide a good case for this paper. Through a combination of systematic and narrative literature reviews, the paper first explores the ethical shortcomings of existing AI systems in sextortion prevention and assesses the capacity of blockchain operations to mitigate these limitations. It then develops CF-BIAI-SXT, a framework operationalized through BPMN-modeled components and structured into a three-layer implementation strategy composed of technical enablement, governance alignment, and continuous oversight. The framework is then situated within real-world regulatory constraints, including GDPR and the EU AI Act. This position paper concludes that a resilient society needs ethical, privacy-first, and socially resilient digital infrastructures, and integrating two core technologies, such as AI and blockchain, creates a viable pathway towards this desideratum. Mitigating high-risk environments, such as sextortion, may be a fundamental first step in this pathway, with the potential expansion to other forms of online threats.

Suggested Citation

  • Chibuzor Udokwu & Roxana Voicu-Dorobanțu & Abiodun Afolayan Ogunyemi & Alex Norta & Nata Sturua & Stefan Craß, 2025. "Leveraging Blockchain for Ethical AI: Mitigating Digital Threats and Strengthening Societal Resilience," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-47, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jftint:v:17:y:2025:i:7:p:309-:d:1703855
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jacobs, Julian, 2024. "The artificial intelligence shock and socio-political polarization," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    2. Fosso Wamba, Samuel & Bawack, Ransome Epie & Guthrie, Cameron & Queiroz, Maciel M. & Carillo, Kevin Daniel André, 2021. "Are we preparing for a good AI society? A bibliometric review and research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    3. Vesnic-Alujevic, Lucia & Nascimento, Susana & Pólvora, Alexandre, 2020. "Societal and ethical impacts of artificial intelligence: Critical notes on European policy frameworks," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(6).
    4. Azfer A. Khan, 2024. "Reconceptualizing Policing for Cybercrime: Perspectives from Singapore," Laws, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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