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). In this scenario, you will consider how to respond to bias in AI-generated material.

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 Jenna.
  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 Jenna’s team 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 Jenna’s team should take to avoid such dilemmas in the future.

The Scenario

User Trust in AI-Driven Trading Systems

A photo of a young, blonde woman who is studying colorful line graphs on her computer. She wears conservative business clothing and is working at her office desk.
Image created with Midjourney

Virginia Finance & Investments, a prominent financial firm, is considering the implementation of an AI-driven trading system designed to analyze market data and execute trades based on its findings. Executives believe that this technology will boost return on investment (ROI) and streamline the trading process for clients. However, there is skepticism among middle- and lower-level employees regarding the reliability and trustworthiness of AI-driven trading algorithms.

Scenario

Jenna, a mid-level analyst at Virginia Finance & Investments, is among those skeptical of the AI-driven trading system. She and her colleagues are concerned about the potential risks and uncertainties involved. They are considering voicing their concerns to the management officially, hoping to ensure that all possible pros and cons are thoroughly evaluated before any decisions are made.

Options for Jenna

  • Organize a Meeting: Jenna could organize a meeting with management to discuss the employees’ concerns and present a balanced view of the potential benefits and risks of the AI system. She would share the meeting agenda and key points with all concerned employees beforehand, ensuring transparency and inclusiveness.
  • Submit a Report: Jenna might compile a detailed report outlining the pros and cons of the AI-driven trading system and submit it to the executives for review. She would solicit feedback from her colleagues through private consultations, incorporating their insights into the report.
  • Seek External Expertise: Jenna could suggest bringing in an external expert to provide an independent assessment of the AI system’s reliability and potential impact. She would communicate this plan openly with her coworkers and ensure their questions and concerns are addressed by the expert.
  • Propose a Pilot Program: Jenna could recommend implementing a pilot program to test the AI system on a smaller scale before full deployment, allowing time to assess its performance and address any issues. She would keep her colleagues informed about the pilot’s progress through regular updates and feedback sessions.
  • Employee Survey: Jenna might propose conducting a survey among employees to gather more feedback and gauge the overall sentiment towards the AI-driven trading system. She would share the survey results with all employees and discuss them in a meeting with executives, ensuring that both employees and management are on the same page.
  • Internal Communication: Jenna could set up regular meetings or a communication channel (such as a dedicated email or internal forum) to keep coworkers informed and involved in the discussion, ensuring their concerns are continuously addressed. She would also share summaries of these communications with the executives to maintain transparency.

Issues to Consider as You Decide What Jenna Should Recommend

  • Risk Management: How can the firm manage the risks associated with AI-driven trading to minimize potential financial losses?
  • Transparency: What steps can be taken to ensure the AI system’s decision-making process is transparent and understandable to employees and clients?
  • Employee Input: How can the firm incorporate feedback and concerns from employees at all levels into the decision-making process?
  • Regulatory Compliance: What are the regulatory requirements for AI-driven trading, and how can the firm ensure compliance?
  • Client Trust: How will the implementation of AI-driven trading affect client trust and satisfaction, and what measures can be taken to maintain and build trust?

Conclusion

Jenna must help the firm decide how to balance the AI system’s promise of increased efficiency and ROI with her coworkers’ concerns about reliability, transparency, and ethical implications. Her task involves careful consideration and communication of the potential risks and benefits in written reports, surveys, and meetings to ensure that all voices are heard and the best decision is made for the firm.

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.