A business situation that presents a legal and ethical issue

Describe a business situation that presents a legal and ethical issue. This should relate to one of the following:
A current work environment
A potential future work environment
Any current event involving a business situation if it has occurred in the past six (6) months from the start date of this class.
Develop an arguable thesis statement.
Identify three specific areas of law that you will use to analyze the situation.
Identify at least two ethical theories that you will use to analyze the situation.

Full Answer Section

      Legal Analysis:
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Act (EEOC): The EEOC prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on race, national origin, and other protected characteristics. Acuity Hire's biased algorithm could be seen as a discriminatory practice under the EEOC.
  • Algorithmic Justice League (AJL) Act (Proposed Legislation): This proposed legislation aims to prevent discriminatory outcomes in automated decision-making systems. While not yet law, it reflects a growing legal concern surrounding algorithmic bias.
  • Consumer Protection Laws: Depending on the jurisdiction, Acuity Hire's clients could face legal ramifications if the biased algorithm leads to hiring practices that violate anti-discrimination laws.
Ethical Analysis:
  • Utilitarianism: From a utilitarian perspective, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Acuity Hire's platform might seem beneficial. However, the negative impact on discriminated-against candidates and the potential for perpetuating social inequalities outweigh any potential benefits.
  • Social Justice Theory: This theory emphasizes the importance of fair treatment and equal opportunities for all. Acuity Hire's biased algorithm directly contradicts these principles by unfairly disadvantaging certain ethnic groups.
This situation highlights the complex interplay between legal and ethical considerations in the development and deployment of AI technologies. Acuity Hire must address the algorithmic bias to comply with existing and potential future laws while upholding ethical principles of fairness and social responsibility.  

Sample Answer

     

Business Situation: Algorithmic Bias in Hiring

Scenario: A tech company, Acuity Hire, develops an AI-powered recruitment platform that analyzes resumes and conducts initial candidate interviews. Acuity Hire boasts a high degree of efficiency and cost-effectiveness for clients. However, a recent investigation reveals that the algorithm is biased against candidates from certain ethnic backgrounds. This raises a legal and ethical dilemma for Acuity Hire.

Thesis Statement: While Acuity Hire's algorithm might streamline the hiring process, its inherent bias against certain ethnicities violates anti-discrimination laws and ethical principles of fairness and social responsibility.