WGU Ethics-In-Technology Exam Dumps

The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) is a global rating system that helps organizations evaluate and select eco-friendly electronic products. Since the telecommunications company is committed to green computing and seeks to compare and select environmentally friendly suppliers, EPEAT is the appropriate tool.

EPEAT criteria include:

Energy efficiency

Material recyclability

Reduction of hazardous substances

Sustainable manufacturing practices

Relevant Ethical Reference in Technology:

Green Computing & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) -- Companies must minimize environmental impact through responsible sourcing.

Sustainability & IT Ethics -- EPEAT ensures ethical environmental practices in product selection.

Utilitarian Ethics (Sustainable Impact) -- Green computing benefits society by reducing e-waste and energy consumption.

ISO 14001 Environmental Standards -- Encourages companies to adopt sustainable environmental management systems.

Thus, the correct answer is A. Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), as it helps assess eco-friendly technology options.

Proxy discrimination occurs when a seemingly neutral variable (e.g., zip code) serves as a proxy for a protected characteristic, such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status. In this case, the AI uses zip codes to determine learning support for racial segments, introducing unintentional racial bias because zip codes often reflect historical segregation and economic disparities.

Since historical housing policies (e.g., redlining) led to racial and economic segregation, using zip codes as a decision factor unfairly correlates race with access to educational resources---a classic example of proxy discrimination.

Relevant Ethical Reference in Technology:

Algorithmic Bias & Fairness (FAT/ML Guidelines) -- AI systems must avoid using proxies that reinforce systemic discrimination.

Civil Rights Laws (Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act) -- Policies that disproportionately harm racial groups violate anti-discrimination laws.

ACM & IEEE Ethics in AI -- Developers must mitigate biases in AI models that result in unfair treatment.

Deontological Ethics & Fairness -- AI systems should not perpetuate historical biases through indirect discrimination.

Thus, the correct answer is C. Proxy discrimination, as zip codes indirectly introduce racial bias into the AI system.

Contingent workers (temporary employees, contractors, or freelancers) can help fill workforce gaps, but they lack deep familiarity with internal business processes, which can be a disadvantage.

Why Internal Business Process Understanding is a Concern?

Contingent workers are not deeply integrated into company culture, workflows, and long-term strategies.

They require time to adapt to internal systems, which can slow productivity initially.

Unlike full-time employees, they may not retain or transfer institutional knowledge to future projects.

Why Not the Other Options?

A . Any skills gained during employment will be lost to the company at the project's completion. -- While true, documentation and knowledge-sharing can mitigate this loss.

C . The company may require the same worker for other projects. -- This is a potential benefit, not a disadvantage.

D . The company does not have to provide benefits throughout the project's lifecycle. -- This is an advantage, not a disadvantage.

Thus, the correct answer is B. Internal business process understanding will be minimal given the temporary nature of the workers.

Reference in Ethics in Technology:

Harvard Business Review (2022). Managing Contingent Workers Effectively.

Kalleberg, A. L. (2000). Nonstandard Employment Relations: Part-time, Temporary, and Contract Work.

A social audit is the process of evaluating a company's ethical, social, and corporate responsibility performance. The executive team reviewed past ethical and social responsibility efforts, set new goals, and shared the results with employees and the board, which aligns directly with a social audit.

Relevant Ethical Reference in Technology:

Business Ethics and Corporate Accountability -- Companies must evaluate their social and ethical impact to maintain ethical leadership.

Ethical IT Management (ISO 26000 & CSR Frameworks) -- Businesses should regularly assess their ethical and social impact.

Transparency and Ethical Leadership -- Sharing findings with employees and stakeholders promotes a culture of accountability.

IT and Digital Ethics -- Ethical technology use involves regular review and reassessment of ethical commitments.

Since the company reviewed its ethical and social responsibility goals and communicated them, it completed a social audit (D is the correct answer).

A professional code of ethics provides a framework for ethical decision-making, guiding IT professionals in handling complex ethical dilemmas. By adopting an industry-standard ethical code, the company ensures that employees make principled decisions aligned with integrity, fairness, and responsibility.

Relevant Ethical Reference in Technology:

ACM Code of Ethics & IEEE Code of Conduct -- Set guidelines for responsible and ethical IT practices.

Corporate Governance & Ethical Leadership -- Ethical guidelines help organizations avoid unethical behavior and reputational damage.

Deontological Ethics (Duty to Act Ethically) -- Professionals must uphold ethical standards regardless of financial incentives.

Utilitarian Ethics (Long-Term Trust & Stability) -- Ethical decision-making builds public confidence in IT companies.

Thus, the correct answer is A. Guidelines for principled decision-making, as a professional code of ethics helps IT professionals navigate ethical challenges.