What You Need to Do

Read and respond to a workplace scenario that presents an ethical dilemma in at least two Discussion posts. In your response, address what you would do in the situation and suggest strategies to avoid the dilemma in the future. Discuss the posted options with your group. Use the step-by-step instructions below to complete the task.

How This Activity Connects to the Course

Ethical considerations matter in everything that you write in the workplace. You may well find yourself in a situation similar to this scenario once you graduate (or even sooner as an intern). This Discussion focuses on intellectual property rights and artificial intelligence.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Success Tip

You can use the online texts, any notes that you have, and the available course pages in Canvas for help as you work on these questions. You can also talk to one another.

  1. Read the scenario below and consider the ethical dilemma involved for Dwight.
  2. In your your first post, do the following:
    1. Present a position statement that answers the question “What would you do in this situation?”
      • Provide reasoning from your own personal code of ethics. Here you focus on what YOU think is right.
      • Provide reasoning from your discipline’s code of ethics, OR Provide at least one supporting statement or example from the Ethics Resource Module.
    2. Explain what Dwight should do in the future to avoid such situations.
  3. Read the posts from others in your group, paying attention to how you agree or disagree on their solutions.
  4. Write at least one additional post to discuss the solution your group will recommend and the actions Dwight should take to avoid such dilemmas in the future.

The Scenario

Ownership Disputes Over AI-Generated Content

A young Black software developer works at his desk in his home office. He is checking email on his phone. There is a laptop in front of him and a large monitor in the distance.
Image created with Midjourney

Dwight, an app developer, has been using generative AI tools to create documentation for his newly developed Android and iOS application. The AI-generated documentation has been instrumental in helping him explain the app’s features and functionality to users.

Dwight has received an email from Alejandro, a technical writer based in The Philippines, who claims that Dwight’s documentation violates his copyright.

Scenario

In his email, Alejandro provides side-by-side comparisons of his app’s documentation and the documentation for Dwight’s app. The passages are identical, raising serious concerns about the originality of the AI-generated content.

Dwight knows that he did not copy the documentation, and yet his app’s documentation has duplicated passages. Dwight now faces a dilemma: he needs to determine the ownership of the AI-created content and decide what actions to take in response to Alejandro’s complaint.

Options for Dwight

  • Consult Legal Counsel: Dwight can seek legal advice to understand the implications of the copyright claim and the legal standing of AI-generated content.
  • Reach Out to Alejandro: Dwight can contact Alejandro to discuss the issue and explore possible resolutions, such as crediting Alejandro or compensating him for the content.
  • Revise Documentation: Dwight can rewrite the documentation to ensure it is entirely original, thus avoiding any potential copyright infringement.
  • Investigate AI Tool: Dwight can investigate the AI tool he used to understand how it generates content and whether it inadvertently copied from existing sources.
  • Negotiate a License: Dwight can negotiate a licensing agreement with Alejandro to use the disputed documentation legally.

Issues to Consider as You Decide What Dwight Should Do

  • Ownership Question: Who owns the content generated by AI, and what are the legal precedents in such cases?
  • Ethical Responsibility: What is Dwight’s ethical responsibility in ensuring that his documentation does not infringe on someone else’s copyright?
  • Impact on Reputation: How might this issue affect Dwight’s professional reputation and credibility?
  • Legal Implications: What are the potential legal consequences if Dwight ignores Alejandro’s complaint?
  • Long-term Solutions: What steps can Dwight take to prevent similar issues in the future when using AI for content creation?

Conclusion

Dwight’s situation highlights the complexities and ethical dilemmas associated with using generative AI tools. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into various aspects of work, it is essential to navigate these challenges thoughtfully and responsibly. Dwight must carefully consider his options and the issues at hand to make an informed decision that respects intellectual property rights and maintains professional integrity.

Assessment

I will mark your participation in this Discussion Complete (or Incomplete) after the end of the Grace Period passes and I confirm that you have made at least two posts (required: one response to the original scenario, and a second in response to others in your class). Allow me several days to read and mark all your posts.