Exercise: AI Ethics Scenario Cards
Below are five realistic scenarios, each involving an ethical dimension of AI use. For each scenario, consider and write brief responses to three questions:
- What are the ethical issues at play?
- What would you do in this situation?
- What level of transparency is appropriate?
There are no perfect answers here. The goal is to develop your ethical reasoning and to practise thinking through the nuances of real-world AI use. After working through each scenario on your own, reveal the discussion notes to see perspectives to consider.
Step 1—Scenario 1: The Teacher's Feedback
A secondary school teacher uses AI to write personalised feedback for 30 students' end-of-term essays. The feedback is detailed, encouraging, and addresses each student's specific strengths and areas for development. The teacher reviews each piece of feedback before sending it home but does not disclose to students or parents that AI assisted in generating it.
What are the ethical issues?
What would you do?
What transparency is appropriate?