As a senior officer in the Urban Development Department, you are responsible for overseeing a major development project in a city renowned for its ancient monuments and rich cultural heritage. This city is vying for the UNESCO World Heritage City designation. The project seeks to create a new corridor to improve access to key historical landmarks, upgrade infrastructure, and develop commercial complexes to cater to the growing number of tourists.
However, the initiative involves demolishing several historic buildings, many of which are essential to the city’s cultural and architectural identity, having stood for centuries. This has led to significant unrest among local residents and business owners, who are concerned about displacement and inadequate compensation. Various cultural groups have protested, claiming that the project threatens the city’s historical character. There are also fears that the developments could jeopardize the city’s chances of receiving the UNESCO World Heritage designation, as the destruction of these historical sites could alter its heritage landscape. The Government has entrusted you with the responsibility of making a final decision regarding the project’s future. (200 words)
(a) What are the ethical issues present in this scenario?
Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction (1–2 sentences)
- Briefly introduce the scenario or context.
- State that you will be analyzing the ethical issues involved in the situation.
Example:
“This scenario involves [briefly describe the situation, e.g., a company’s decision to use artificial intelligence in hiring processes]. In this answer, we will identify and analyze the ethical issues present in this scenario.”
2. Understanding the Ethical Issues (2–3 sentences)
- Define “ethical issues” (i.e., moral dilemmas that may conflict with societal norms, values, or legal standards).
- Establish that ethical issues arise when decisions or actions impact individuals or society in ways that can be judged as morally right or wrong.
Example:
“Ethical issues arise when actions or decisions cause harm, exploit vulnerable groups, or violate fundamental human rights, fairness, or trust. In this scenario, the ethical implications stem from concerns about fairness, bias, privacy, and accountability.”
3. Identify the Ethical Issues (2–3 key issues)
- Point out the main ethical issues in the scenario, considering factors like fairness, honesty, respect for rights, transparency, or harm caused.
- For each issue, identify the stakeholders (e.g., employees, consumers, the community) affected.
Example:
“The key ethical issues present in this scenario include:
- Bias and Discrimination: If AI is used in hiring, there is the potential for biased decisions based on gender, race, or socioeconomic background.
- Privacy and Surveillance: Employees or candidates may feel their privacy is violated if their personal data is being collected or used without clear consent.
- Transparency and Accountability: There may be a lack of clarity in how the AI algorithms make decisions, and responsibility for errors in hiring could be difficult to assign.”
4. Analysis of the Ethical Issues (4–5 sentences)
- Analyze the underlying causes of the ethical issues. Consider factors like societal values, technological advances, and conflicting interests.
- Use ethical theories (e.g., utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics) to explore the consequences of each issue.
Example:
“The issue of bias in AI hiring algorithms can be attributed to the data sets used to train the algorithms, which may reflect societal prejudices. According to utilitarianism, the goal should be to create fair and unbiased hiring practices that benefit all candidates equally. However, the use of biased data undermines this principle, potentially leading to unequal opportunities for certain groups.
Privacy is another significant concern. According to deontological ethics, individuals have the right to control their personal data and consent to its use. However, AI systems may collect and process sensitive information without adequate transparency or consent, violating this fundamental right.
Accountability is critical in ensuring fairness. Virtue ethics emphasizes moral character and the responsibility of companies to ensure their actions align with values of honesty and integrity. If mistakes occur in the hiring process due to algorithmic errors, accountability becomes difficult to determine without transparency in how decisions are made.”
5. Possible Solutions or Recommendations (2–3 sentences)
- Provide possible solutions or ethical recommendations to address the identified issues. Consider fairness, transparency, and safeguards.
- Mention how these solutions can help reduce harm or prevent unethical practices.
Example:
“To mitigate these ethical concerns, companies should implement bias mitigation strategies in AI models, ensuring that data sets are diverse and representative. Moreover, a clear framework for obtaining informed consent should be established to protect candidate privacy. Finally, organizations should prioritize transparency by making AI decision-making processes more accessible and accountable to both candidates and regulators.”
6. Conclusion (1–2 sentences)
- Summarize the key ethical issues and proposed solutions.
- End with a reflection on the importance of ethical considerations in the scenario.
Example:
“In conclusion, ethical issues such as bias, privacy violations, and lack of transparency are prevalent in the use of AI in hiring. By addressing these issues through careful design, ethical guidelines, and accountability mechanisms, companies can ensure that their actions align with societal values and protect individual rights.”
Relevant Facts for the Answer
Here are some key facts and data points that can be used to support your ethical analysis. Make sure to cite sources correctly:
- Bias in AI
- Fact: AI systems used in hiring have been shown to perpetuate biases related to race, gender, and other factors. A study by ProPublica revealed that risk assessment algorithms used in the criminal justice system were biased against African American defendants, incorrectly labeling them as high-risk compared to white defendants (ProPublica, 2016).
- Privacy Concerns
- Fact: A 2019 European Union study found that 63% of users felt that data collection by companies for AI-related purposes violated their privacy rights. Furthermore, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) was introduced to protect personal data and give individuals more control over how their data is used (European Commission, 2019).
- Transparency and Accountability
- Fact: In 2020, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) published guidelines on AI ethics, recommending that companies make the decision-making processes of AI systems transparent, and hold accountable those who deploy these technologies. It also emphasized the need for algorithmic transparency in order to build public trust (ICO, 2020).
- Ethical Frameworks for Decision Making
- Fact: According to the IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems (2020), ethical frameworks like utilitarianism (maximizing benefits for all) and deontology (respecting individual rights) are essential for ensuring AI decisions align with societal norms and do not harm vulnerable populations.
Model Answer
Ethical Issues in Balancing Development and Preservation
The demolition of historic buildings raises the ethical dilemma of preserving a city’s cultural and historical identity versus the need for modern infrastructure. Cultural heritage plays a key role in shaping the identity of a community, and losing these structures can undermine the city’s uniqueness. The decision to demolish or renovate these buildings often leads to debates about whether modernization should take precedence over history and tradition.
Displacement of residents due to development projects raises significant ethical concerns about social justice and the well-being of affected communities. The potential loss of homes and livelihoods affects vulnerable populations, particularly those who may not have the resources or means to relocate. The ethical responsibility here is to fairly evaluate and mitigate the social impacts of such decisions on individuals and families.
Governments have an ethical duty to protect their cultural heritage, especially when the city in question holds potential for UNESCO World Heritage designation. This responsibility not only preserves the city’s history for future generations but also honors global heritage obligations.
The unrest among citizens and cultural groups highlights the need for democratic and inclusive decision-making processes. Ethical governance requires that all stakeholders, especially local communities, have a voice in decisions affecting their cultural and physical environment.