📋 Group Discussion (GD) Analysis Guide

💡 Topic: Should Governments Impose Limits on the Use of Facial Recognition Technology?

🌟 Introduction to the Topic

• 💡 Opening Context: Facial recognition technology (FRT) has emerged as a potent tool in law enforcement, security, and even retail analytics. However, its unregulated use raises ethical, legal, and privacy concerns.
• 📖 Topic Background: FRT involves using AI algorithms to identify or verify individuals from images or videos. Though beneficial in areas such as crime prevention, it has sparked debates about surveillance overreach and potential misuse.

📊 Quick Facts and Key Statistics

• 📈 Global Market Size: The FRT market is expected to reach $12.92 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 18% (Fortune Business Insights, 2023).
• 🌍 Adoption by Governments: Over 60 countries use FRT for surveillance and law enforcement (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2023).
• ⚠️ Accuracy Concerns: Studies reveal FRT is less accurate for darker skin tones, with error rates up to 35% (MIT Media Lab, 2022).
• 🔒 Privacy Issues: Over 1 billion images globally are collected annually without consent (Electronic Frontier Foundation, 2023).

👥 Stakeholders and Their Roles

• 🏛️ Governments: Regulate FRT use to balance security needs with civil liberties.
• 💻 Tech Companies: Develop FRT solutions while addressing biases and ensuring ethical practices.
• 🌍 Citizens: Advocate for privacy rights and oversight mechanisms.
• 📢 Civil Society and Activists: Push for accountability and highlight misuse cases.

🏆 Achievements and Challenges

Achievements:

• 🚓 Crime Reduction: Used effectively to identify suspects in major events (e.g., Boston Marathon bombing).
• ✈️ Border Security: Enhances identity verification processes in airports.
• 😷 COVID-19 Use: Monitored mask compliance and social distancing in several countries.

Challenges:

• ⚠️ Bias and Accuracy Issues: Disparities in recognition rates across demographics.
• 🔒 Privacy Invasion: Unauthorized data collection and storage.
• ⚖️ Lack of Regulation: Limited oversight leads to potential misuse.

🌐 Global Comparisons:

• 🇨🇳 China: Extensive FRT use, raising concerns over state surveillance.
• 🇪🇺 EU: Advocates stricter regulations under the AI Act.

📖 Case Study:

🇺🇸 San Francisco: Became the first city to ban police use of FRT in 2019.

💬 Structured Arguments for Discussion

• ✅ Supporting Stance: “Limiting FRT is essential to prevent the erosion of privacy and civil liberties.”
• ❌ Opposing Stance: “Imposing limits may hinder law enforcement and national security efforts.”
• ⚖️ Balanced Perspective: “Governments should regulate, not ban, FRT, ensuring ethical and transparent use.”

🔑 Effective Discussion Approaches

• 📊 Opening Approaches:
• Use a compelling statistic about FRT’s inaccuracies to highlight the ethical dilemma.
• Mention a recent case of misuse or controversy surrounding FRT.
• 💡 Counter-Argument Handling:
• Acknowledge security benefits but argue for oversight mechanisms.
• Provide examples of effective regulation models like the EU’s AI Act.

📊 Strategic Analysis of Strengths and Weaknesses

• 💪 Strengths: Enhances public safety; streamlines identity verification.
• ⚠️ Weaknesses: Biased algorithms; ethical concerns.
• ✨ Opportunities: Regulated use can foster innovation; improved AI models reduce biases.
• ⚡ Threats: Public distrust; data security risks.

📚 Connecting with B-School Applications

• 🌍 Real-World Applications: Regulatory frameworks for FRT in projects on business ethics, AI, and public policy.
• ❓ Sample Interview Questions:
• “How should governments balance technology innovation and ethical considerations?”
• “What role can private firms play in ensuring ethical FRT use?”
• 📖 Insights for Students: Research areas include AI ethics, regulatory policy design, and data protection.