Anita spoke with Vikram Bhargava, Assistant Professor of Strategic Management and Public Policy at George Washington University, about his research in tech ethics and policy.  They first discussed his work on technology addiction, which explains how adaptive algorithms in social media platforms create distinctive ethical challenges by tailoring increasingly addictive content to individual users. He also explored the concept of mass social media outrage and its implications for workplace accountability, arguing against unlimited collective blame and emphasizing the importance of proportionate responses.  Vikram examined how advances in AI and autonomous vehicles alter ethical obligations and reveal inadequacies in existing ethical frameworks, particularly regarding the value of human choice in hiring processes and the broader societal impact of dating app algorithms.

Technology Addiction and Algorithm Ethics

Vikram explained his findings on how adaptive algorithms in social media platforms create distinctive ethical issues, comparing them to a scenario where a coffee shop deliberately increases the addiction potential of their product based on customer behavior. He highlighted how these algorithms adapt to individual users over time, potentially creating highly addictive experiences while using the user's data against them in a way that differs from other addictive products.

Social Media

Vikram and Anita discussed Vikram’s work on the nature of social media addiction, which arises from a paradoxical combination of isolation and engagement. Vikram explained how social media has become increasingly integrated into various aspects of life, including education and politics, making it difficult to avoid despite its potential risks. They noted that while social media addiction may not be as straightforward as traditional substance addictions, its pervasive presence in modern life creates unique challenges.

Mass Outrage

Vikram discussed his research on "Firm Responses to Mass Outrage," exploring how collective accountability differs from traditional interpersonal accountability. He shared a personal experience in Philadelphia that inspired his research on bigotry and employment. Anita questioned how cultural backgrounds and experiences affect judgment in such situations, to which Vikram responded that while cultural backgrounds influence beliefs, it’s also important to discern transcendent values that unite people in community.

Technology Ethics Research Discussion

Vikram and Anita talked about his work on autonomous vehicles and hiring algorithms. Vikram explained how advances in technology can alter ethical obligations and reveal inadequacies in existing ethical frameworks. He provided examples from his work, including how autonomous vehicles could make human driving analogous to drunk driving and how interviews might retain value beyond their predictive capabilities. The conversation concluded with Vikram sharing his motivation for this work, highlighting the privilege of academic research and the importance of addressing technology's influence on social relationships.