📋 Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis Guide

🌟 Topic: Should Tech Companies Be Held Liable for the Social Impact of Their Products?

🌐 Understanding the Topic’s Importance

With technology influencing every facet of life, this essay examines the trade-offs between innovation and accountability. It aligns with B-school themes like governance, ethical leadership, and global strategy.

📝 Effective Planning and Writing

• Time Allocation:
  • Reading & Planning: 5 minutes
  • Writing: 20 minutes
  • Reviewing: 5 minutes
• Preparation Tips:
  • Use real-world examples (e.g., Cambridge Analytica).
  • Incorporate balanced perspectives on regulation and innovation.

💡 Introduction Techniques for Essays

• Contrast Approach: “While tech companies have revolutionized the world, their products have also fueled societal challenges like misinformation and addiction, sparking debates about accountability.”
• Solution-Based Approach: “Ensuring tech accountability requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving companies, governments, and civil society.”

🔍 Structuring the Essay Body

1. Achievements:
   • Highlight economic growth and social benefits.
   • Use examples like AI in healthcare or global connectivity.
2. Challenges with Comparative Analysis:
   • Discuss privacy breaches, misinformation, and mental health impacts.
   • Compare regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR vs. self-regulation).
3. Future Outlook:
   • Suggest balanced approaches combining self-regulation and government oversight.

✅ Concluding Effectively

• Balanced Conclusion: “Accountability is essential for sustainable growth, but it must not come at the expense of innovation.”
• Future-Oriented Conclusion: “By fostering ethical practices, tech companies can lead societal progress while mitigating harm.”

📄 Sample Short Essays

• Balanced Perspective: “Tech companies play a pivotal role in shaping society, and while they must address the impact of their products, shared responsibility among stakeholders is crucial for balanced progress.”
• Solution-Oriented: “Liability frameworks can drive ethical innovation in technology, ensuring societal benefits without stifling creativity.”
• Global Comparison: “GDPR in Europe provides a successful model for balancing user rights and innovation, offering lessons for global accountability practices.”