It is abundantly clear that the digital revolution involves changes in every corner of our lives. It is affecting the economy by increasing efficiency and hence profitability, but these new developments have also affected everyday transactions of the traditional middle class. The changes have given rise to global and multinational shifts which increasingly affect sectors of our domestic economic structure. The technology giants control the digital systems and hence control our personal information, that is the way we live and interact in a social setting. This has changed the very fabric of society. It is important to recognise these changes as the inevitable fact is that the digital revolution is here to stay and indeed it has not run its course yet. New institutional frameworks have emerged and these are untested. We are experiencing changes to our existing social reality but without all the necessary understandings of our new reality. This paper will ask how and importantly whether a risk based ethical construct can protect our personal security and our privacy.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving innovation in the financial investment sector, but it also poses significant challenges for protecting investors’ personal information. The extensive data requirements for robo-advice, coupled with technological security risks, insufficient user awareness, trust concerns, and the frequently ambiguous or non-compliant nature of privacy statements, present significant challenges to the protection of investor information. Both the European Union (EU) and China face these challenges, though in distinct ways, with their regulatory frameworks offering opportunities for mutual learning and advancement. To improve the protection of investor data in both regions, it is essential to strengthen legal regulations, increase oversight of robo-advisory platforms, implement innovative regulatory models, and enhance user awareness.

Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and biotechnology, hold immense promise to address critical global challenges such as climate change, public health crises, and resource depletion. However, their rapid development introduces pressing ethical, legal, and societal dilemmas, including data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, intellectual property disputes, and the deepening of social inequities. This paper comprehensively explores these multifaceted challenges, underscoring the necessity of robust governance frameworks to mitigate associated risks. It advocates for adopting Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles to ensure technological progress aligns with societal values, ethical standards, and sustainability objectives. Through actionable policy recommendations and a comprehensive governance model, the paper emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and inclusive stakeholder engagement in shaping the responsible trajectory of technological innovation.