Review the videos and links (attached or at the bottom of instructions) in regard to Facial Recognition (FR) and respond to the following scenario.
Scenario
You are the Vice President of the Facial Recognition (FR) product division (software & hardware) for a mid-size U.S. based firm called SafeTronX. The firm generated $320 million in revenues in 2023, which mostly comes from your core business: alarm systems, security fencing & gates, and security training & consultancy. Locations of your current client base are as follows: 60% U.S., 20% Europe, 10 % South America, 5% Australia, and 5% China.
The CEO hired you to develop an FR practice. Large market opportunity exists, which aligns with the firm’s position in the security industry. Initial projections suggest that over the next 3-5 years that revenues for SafeTronX could easily move into the $1.5 Billion range with its FR product line.
The FR product line is designed for private sector security (e.g. factories, shipping, etc.), public law enforcement (e.g. police departments, government agencies, airports, etc.), retail, and stadiums. While you have not officially launched a “final app” in the market, you have beta tests with existing customers who use your other products. Initial reviews suggest that your software/cameras have superior user functionality relative to leaders in the market and that your “recognition accuracy” (e.g. potential for bias) is consistent with such players as Amazon’s Rekognition. So far, the firm has invested $78 million in this practice, which has been extremely low compared to other industry players but a major investment for SafeTronX. You will be ready to launch and sign contracts in January 2025.
Recent political and public scrutiny of FR technology, including potential regulations, has created some concern for your CEO. Amazon’s moratorium on its use of Rekognition in police departments has been one that has raised a lot of red flags. Existing private sector clients and law enforcement agencies are not concerned about these issues and are pushing for you to get your product in the market to spur competition. Customers are eager to sign contracts now, especially law enforcement agencies who are dealing with significant crime issues. They are looking at competitors from all around the globe.
Last night, your CEO received a phone call that her son in college and his best friend were both arrested by the local police while depositing cash at an ATM in their college town. His friend was simply making a deposit when the bank’s FR system red flagged him as a criminal. Her son happened to be standing next to him and was arrested as well. Her spouse was about to catch a late-night flight to address the issue but her son called and said they were released, only after sitting in a cell for 10 hours. The bank found a software error; they were completely innocent.
This incident only added to existing concerns voiced by your CEO in regard to FR technology. She still believes strongly in the FR product line but wants your input on how to best proceed. She has asked that you send her a recommendation by tomorrow on whether to 1) postpone the January 2025 launch, 2) proceed as planned, 3) abandon the technology completely, or 4) pursue opportunities to sell the product line to another firm.
You know there is significant opportunity for financial gain with this product, not just for the firm but for yourself and your team—they have invested long hours and have been amazing innovators. Plus, as a former 20-year law enforcement officer, you know the benefit it can offer in preventing horrific crimes. What is your recommendation?
Assignment
Use the resources provided for M6: Day 4 to write an essay of 500-600 word essay (double spaced) in which you take-a-position on which course of action you recommend SafeTronX pursue. You must argue that SafeTronX pursue one of the following:
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- Postpone the planned January 2025 launch.
- Proceed as planned.
- Abandon the technology completely.
- Pursue opportunities to sell the product line to another firm.
Note:
- Post your essay document to Canvas before class time.
- Use the essay rubric as a guide.
- Please make sure you have access to your essay/ideas when you attend class. During class-time, you will join a group. The group will develop an outline for a more detailed essay defending a unanimous position you would like to put forward as a group.
Guidelines for All Take-a-Position Essays
- Include 5 organized paragraphs (introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion)
- In the introduction, include a 1-sentence thesis statement indicating your position. Bold this statement to clearly identify your position.
- Cite evidence from the readings at least 5 times in your essay. Follow the examples below to cite evidence in your essay.
- Edit your essay to demonstrate clear, correct, and polished writing.
- Use double-spaced text and Times New Roman font (12 point)
Grading: Refer to the rubric on Canvas.
Citing Your Sources
Follow these examples to cite sources in the text of your essay. Explain the credibility of the source and include the article number (from Canvas) at the end of the sentence.
Since all sources are provided by the instructor, you do not need to include a reference list.
In-Text Citation Examples Relevant for All Take-a-Position Essays
- According to a graph published in a 2016 report written by the World Bank Group, about 30 percent of the world’s fish stocks classified as “overfished” in the year 2011 (Article 1).
- Ian Urbina, an investigative journalist writing for the Yale School of the Environment, says: “Chinese distant-water ships are so large that they scoop up as many fish in one week as local boats from Senegal or Mexico might catch in a year” (Article 5).
- Mark Lundsten, a fishing boat captain, argues that “the incentive of the fishermen to conserve the resource, to avoid by-catch, to maintain habitat, not to overfish, are all built in to the IFQ [catch shares] system” (Video 1).
Sources:
overview of facial technology:
https://aws.amazon.com/rekognition/the-facts-on-facial-recognition-with-artificial-intelligence/
Arguments for or against facial recognition:
https://www.cyberlink.com/faceme/insights/articles/228/how-to-use-facial-recognition
