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Hawaii Pacific University *
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682
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
Pages
2
Uploaded by AmbassadorAlpacaPerson1061
Case Guidelines: Autonomous Vehicles
- Technological Changes and Ethical
Challenges
Case Guidelines: Autonomous Vehicles - Technological Changes and Ethical Challenges
The Issue: In 2014, Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, announced that semi-autonomous driving technology
(called Super-Cruise) would be made available in the flagship Cadillac CT6 sedan by 2016. Cadillac is a wholly-
owned subsidiary of General Motors, and the the President of Cadillac suggested that this was a way to improve its
brand image and attract younger customers. Soon after the announcement, in early 2015, Tesla released 'Autopilot'
a semi-autonomous driving technology. The software was met with media buzz, as CEO Elon Musk claimed that
data showed it was much safer than unassisted human driving. However, researchers and other experts were
concerned about the implications of Autopilot technology, and worried that consumers would be apt to misuse the
technology in potentially fatal ways. In May 2016, a Tesla with Autopilot enabled, crashed, resulting in the first death
involving semi-autonomous technology. In March 2018, an Uber self-driving car with a test driver behind the wheel,
killed a pedestrian while the self-driving mode was enabled. While Uber chose to suspend all further self-driving
tests nationwide, Tesla continued to offer Autopilot as an option on its vehicles. Waymo (part of the Alphabet
conglomerate that also owns Google), instead, committed to keeping its self-driving products off the consumer
market until full autonomy was obtained.
The Question: Should Cadillac release its semi-autonomous Super Cruise technology along the timeline mentioned
in the case, OR should Cadillac wait until fully autonomous driving technology is available?
Pro Side position: Cadillac should adopt Tesla's approach and release its semi-autonomous Super Cruise
technology as soon as possible.
Con Side position: Cadillac should adopt Waymo's approach and delay Super Cruise technology until fully
autonomous driving safety is demonstrated.
Both sides:
To strengthen your argument…
1. Offer a coherent Ethical perspective: From Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics, Rights, and Justice, which
ethical theory is most appropriate for this situation? Why? Given your position, what should Cadillac's
next steps be?
2. Explain the public policy implications of your decision. How will your decision affect public safety? 3. Explain the legal implications of your decision for the company. What liability will the company have with
releasing semi-autonomous technology?
4. Explain the strategic (business operating) implications for your company. How will your decision affect the
competitive position of GM in the market?
5. Draw arguments from Chapter 8: Influencing the Political Environment, to explain why GM/Cadillac should/should
not spend its money on Government Lobbying and Consumer Education as part of this decision.
6. Draw arguments from Chapter 11: Technology, Organizations and Society, to explain how GM/Cadillac might
balance the benefits with this new technology with the negative consequences associated with its release.
Debate Guidelines: The classroom debates are exercises designed to allow you to strengthen your
skills in the areas of leadership, interpersonal influence, team-building, group problem solving, and
oral presentation. All group members are expected to participate in the research and development
of your debate position. At least 4 group members must participate in the presentation and rebuttal.
Preparation will require reading the case debate topic and additional library research. Each
participating member will receive the same case grade. Debate Format:
8 minute Position Presentation - Pro
8 minute Position Presentation - Con
5 minute Work Period
4 minute Rebuttal - Pro
4 minute Rebuttal - Con
2 minute Work Period
2 minute Position Summary - Pro or Con (who goes first will be decided by coin flip).
2 minute Position Summary - Pro or Con
5 minutes Collection of Ballots. Results will be on iLearn by Wednesday that same week.
Complete Debate Guidelines are on iLearn
(https://ilearn.sfsu.edu/ay2122/mod/resource/view.php?
id=53183) .
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