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

The Scenario

Bias in AI-Generated Text

A black technical writer working alongside an AI writing assistant in a modern corporate office. The window behind the writer shows city buildings.
Image created with Midjourney

Alex is a technical writer at a large tech company that frequently uses AI tools to generate documentation, user manuals, and internal reports. Alex is overseeing the implementation of a new AI writing assistant, designed to streamline the creation of technical documents.

After a few months of use, Alex and the team notice that some AI-generated documents contain subtle biases, stereotypes, and occasionally discriminatory language. For example, the AI might generate sentences that implicitly suggest gender roles, make assumptions about cultural backgrounds, or use language that may not be inclusive of all users.

The company values diversity and inclusivity and has a strict policy against any form of bias in its communications. As a senior technical writer, Alex is responsible for ensuring that all documentation aligns with these values. Alex must address this issue and develop a strategy to mitigate biases in AI-generated content.

Options for Alex

  • Review Manually: Conduct a thorough review of all AI-generated content to identify instances of bias and revise them manually.
  • Develop Guidelines: Develop and implement guidelines for using the AI tool that emphasize the importance of avoiding biased language.
  • Collaborate with AI Team: Work with the AI development team to refine the language model and training data to reduce biases.
  • Provide Training: Implement regular training sessions for the team on recognizing and addressing bias in AI-generated content.
  • Establish Review Committee: Establish a review committee with diverse members to monitor AI-generated content for bias and provide feedback.
  • Use Multiple AI Tools: Consider using multiple AI tools and cross-referencing outputs to minimize the influence of any single biased model.

Issues to Consider as You Decide What Alex Should Do

  1. Identifying Bias: What steps can Alex take to identify and correct biases in AI-generated technical documents?
  2. Adhering to Values: How can Alex ensure that the AI tool adheres to the company’s values of diversity and inclusivity?
  3. Regular Updates: What measures can be implemented to regularly review and update the AI’s language model to prevent future biases?
  4. Human Oversight: What role should human oversight play in the use of AI for generating technical documentation?
  5. Diverse Team: How can Alex involve a diverse team in the process of monitoring and refining AI-generated content?
  6. Effective Solutions: Which of the options listed do you think would be the most effective in addressing the issue of bias in AI-generated content? Why?

Conclusion

Alex’s situation highlights the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in managing AI-generated content. As AI tools become more integrated into the workplace, it is crucial to ensure that they align with the company’s values and ethical standards. By exploring and implementing the options available, Alex can help create a more inclusive and unbiased environment for all users.

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.