← All questionsGS4 · 2024 · Case Studies — Private Sector ·Technology-Company Ethical Governance Case
QUESTION PYQ 11
GS4
20 marks

There is a technological company named ABC Incorporated which is the second largest worldwide, situated in the Third World. You are the Chief Executive Officer and the majority shareholder of this company. The fast technological improvements have raised worries among environmental activists, regulatory authorities, and the general public over the sustainability of this scenario. You confront substantial issues about the business’s environmental footprint. In 2023, your organisation had a significant increase of 48% in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the levels recorded in 2019. The significant rise in energy consumption is mainly due to the surging energy requirements of your data centres, fuelled by the exponential expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI-powered services need much more computational resources and electrical energy compared to conventional online activities, notwithstanding their notable gains. The technology’s proliferation has led to a growing concern over the environmental repercussions, resulting in an increase in warnings. AI models, especially those used in extensive machine learning and data processing, exhibit much greater energy consumption than conventional computer tasks, with an exponential increase. Although there is already a commitment and goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, the challenge of lowering emissions seems overwhelming as the integration of AI continues to increase. To achieve this goal, substantial investments in renewable energy use would be necessary. The difficulty is exacerbated by the competitive environment of the technology sector, where rapid innovation is essential for preserving market standing and shareholders’ worth. To achieve a balance between innovation, profitability and sustainability, a strategic move is necessary that is in line with both business objectives and ethical obligations.(a) What is your immediate response to the challenges posed in the above case.(b) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case.(c) Your company has been identified to be penalised by technological giants. What logical and ethical arguments will you put forth to convince about its necessity.(d) Being a conscience being, what measures would you adopt to maintain balance between AI innovation and environmental footprint?

WRITE IN
14 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

In this Technology-Company Ethical Governance Case case (There is a technological company named ABC Incorporated which is the second largest worldwide, situated…), separate facts/constraints from the value conflict and resolve the explicit asks in order: Discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case.; then Your company has been identified to be penalised by technological giants. What logical and…; then Being a conscience being, what measures would you adopt to maintain balance between AI…. Defend the preferred option against realistic alternatives.

DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1What is your immediate response to the challenges posed in the above case≈50 words
  2. 2Discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case≈50 words
  3. 3Your company has been identified to be penalised by technological giants. What logical and ethical arguments will you put forth to convince about its necessity≈50 words
  4. 4Being a conscience being, what measures would you adopt to maintain balance between AI innovation and environmental footprint?≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Facts/constraints in this caseStakeholdersDilemmasOption-by-option consequence/legal testPreferred actionSafeguards. Explicitly answer 4 sub-part(s)

Where marks usually go

  • Over-writing ‘What is your immediate response to the challenges posed in the above case.’ while reducing ‘Discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case.’ to a token paragraph
  • Naming values without testing each feasible option for legality, affected stakeholders, consequences, implementation risk and reversibility

Value addition

  • Technology-Company Ethical Governance Case: stakeholder map beside a 4-column option matrix — option | legality/ethics | consequences | mitigation
    → Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.

Verified value additions

These are verified official-source additions selected for this exact PYQ. Use only the point that strengthens your argument.