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WGU D333 Ethics in Technology ACTUAL
EXAM 1 & 2 2026/2027 | 60 Verified
Questions & Evidence-Based Rationales |
Graded A+ | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION A – Foundational Ethical Theories & Principles (Qs 1-15)
1. Scenario: A city deploys an AI-driven “predictive-policing” platform that sends patrol
units to blocks where crime is forecast to occur.
After a year, data show the system sends officers almost exclusively to low-income
neighborhoods, although reported crime occurs city-wide.
The city council asks which ethical framework best justifies immediately suspending the
system until an equity audit is completed.
Which single framework most directly supports suspension?
A. Virtue ethics – it prevents officers from becoming less courageous.
B. Deontology – it violates a duty not to treat citizens merely as data points.
C. Utilitarianism – aggregate happiness is increased by keeping the software.
D. Rights-based ethics – it infringes on the right to equal protection under the law.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The core dilemma is discriminatory impact on a protected group. A rights-based
approach (Rawlsian or constitutional) prioritizes equal protection and procedural justice.
Suspending the system protects that right while remedies are designed. Deontology (B) is
relevant but less specific than the explicit right involved. Utilitarianism (C) would require
evidence that suspension maximizes overall welfare, which is not given. Virtue ethics (A) is
secondary here.
2. Scenario: A ride-hail company’s ML model slightly shortens estimated arrival times to
“nudge” users to book.
Users report the practice manipulates choice without consent.
From a Kantian perspective, the practice is unethical primarily because:
A. it treats riders as means to profit rather than as autonomous ends.
B. it reduces total consumer surplus.
C. it erodes corporate transparency virtues.
D. it may be illegal under EU consumer-protection rules.
,2
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Kant’s second formulation demands never treating rational agents merely as means.
The nudge covertly steers choices, undermining autonomy—an intrinsic wrong regardless of
consequences or legality.
3. Scenario: A quantum-computing start-up can break 4096-bit RSA in 12 h.
It must decide whether to notify vendors immediately (risking loss of competitive edge)
or wait six months while building a defense product.
A rule-utilitarian would advise:
A. Notify now, because a world where all firms disclose vulnerabilities produces the
greatest long-term welfare.
B. Notify only paying clients, maximizing immediate happiness.
C. Wait six months; the start-up’s success will later benefit society more.
D. Sell the exploit to the highest bidder; markets allocate resources efficiently.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rule-utilitarianism asks which rule, if universally adopted, maximizes utility.
Universal timely disclosure reduces systemic cyber-risk, fosters trust, and accelerates adoption of
quantum-safe algorithms, yielding higher aggregate welfare than selective or delayed disclosure.
4. Scenario: An engineer refuses on moral grounds to code a feature that makes ad clicks
appear slightly delayed for elderly users (who are less likely to notice), thereby increasing
accidental clicks and revenue.
Which ethical concept best explains the engineer’s refusal?
A. Supererogation – going beyond duty.
B. Integrity – acting in accordance with professional character virtues.
C. Cultural relativism – personal values vary.
D. Consequentialism – net harm exceeds benefits.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The refusal stems from professional integrity—alignment with virtues of honesty and
respect for vulnerable users. It is not supererogation (A) because ACM and IEEE codes imply
such refusal is obligatory, not optional.
5. Scenario: A social-media firm considers removing all anonymity to combat
misinformation.
Critics argue anonymity protects dissidents in authoritarian states.
Applying the prima-facie principle approach (Ross), which duty is most pressing?
A. Duty to maximize shareholder returns.
B. Duty to prevent harm to life and basic liberty.
C. Duty to obey platform-neutral laws.
D. Duty to promote veracity in speech.
, 3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ross ranks duties by stringency; preventing serious harm (imprisonment or death of
dissidents) outweighs duties of veracity or profit. Thus blanket de-anonymization is
impermissible unless less harmful alternatives exist.
6. Scenario: A generative-AI text-to-image service creates photorealistic faces.
A user prompts it to produce a deepfake of a politician taking a bribe.
Under virtue ethics, the developer’s continued hosting of the model without
safeguards is:
A. Courageous – defending free speech.
B. Temperate – avoiding censorship.
C. Vicious – exhibiting lack of phronesis (practical wisdom) and justice.
D. Generous – providing open tools.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Virtues of justice and practical wisdom require anticipating and mitigating foreseeable
harms (election integrity, reputational damage). Failing to implement safeguards is a vice of
negligence.
7. Scenario: A municipality uses an autonomous shuttle. An ethics board must choose
between two algorithmic settings:
• Setting X: In an unavoidable crash, the shuttle swerves to save the most passengers even
if it hits a pedestrian on the sidewalk.
• Setting Y: It never leaves its lane, risking passengers but not bystanders.
A deontological lens would:
A. Prefer Y, because actively redirecting harm uses bystanders as means.
B. Prefer X, because saving more lives is intrinsically good.
C. Be indifferent; consequences alone matter.
D. Prohibit autonomous shuttles entirely.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Deontology forbids using persons merely as means. Swerving onto a sidewalk
instrumentalizes the pedestrian, violating a strict duty. Setting Y respects the pedestrian’s right
not to be harmed as a side-effect of saving others.
8. Scenario: An open-source project adopts a code-of-merit that rewards “code quality
only,” ignoring contributor behavior.
Several core contributors are publicly known for harassing newcomers.
Which philosophical position best supports adding a conduct-enforcement clause?
A. Ethical relativism – norms are community-specific.
B. Virtue ethics – character traits shape community flourishing.
WGU D333 Ethics in Technology ACTUAL
EXAM 1 & 2 2026/2027 | 60 Verified
Questions & Evidence-Based Rationales |
Graded A+ | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION A – Foundational Ethical Theories & Principles (Qs 1-15)
1. Scenario: A city deploys an AI-driven “predictive-policing” platform that sends patrol
units to blocks where crime is forecast to occur.
After a year, data show the system sends officers almost exclusively to low-income
neighborhoods, although reported crime occurs city-wide.
The city council asks which ethical framework best justifies immediately suspending the
system until an equity audit is completed.
Which single framework most directly supports suspension?
A. Virtue ethics – it prevents officers from becoming less courageous.
B. Deontology – it violates a duty not to treat citizens merely as data points.
C. Utilitarianism – aggregate happiness is increased by keeping the software.
D. Rights-based ethics – it infringes on the right to equal protection under the law.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The core dilemma is discriminatory impact on a protected group. A rights-based
approach (Rawlsian or constitutional) prioritizes equal protection and procedural justice.
Suspending the system protects that right while remedies are designed. Deontology (B) is
relevant but less specific than the explicit right involved. Utilitarianism (C) would require
evidence that suspension maximizes overall welfare, which is not given. Virtue ethics (A) is
secondary here.
2. Scenario: A ride-hail company’s ML model slightly shortens estimated arrival times to
“nudge” users to book.
Users report the practice manipulates choice without consent.
From a Kantian perspective, the practice is unethical primarily because:
A. it treats riders as means to profit rather than as autonomous ends.
B. it reduces total consumer surplus.
C. it erodes corporate transparency virtues.
D. it may be illegal under EU consumer-protection rules.
,2
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Kant’s second formulation demands never treating rational agents merely as means.
The nudge covertly steers choices, undermining autonomy—an intrinsic wrong regardless of
consequences or legality.
3. Scenario: A quantum-computing start-up can break 4096-bit RSA in 12 h.
It must decide whether to notify vendors immediately (risking loss of competitive edge)
or wait six months while building a defense product.
A rule-utilitarian would advise:
A. Notify now, because a world where all firms disclose vulnerabilities produces the
greatest long-term welfare.
B. Notify only paying clients, maximizing immediate happiness.
C. Wait six months; the start-up’s success will later benefit society more.
D. Sell the exploit to the highest bidder; markets allocate resources efficiently.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rule-utilitarianism asks which rule, if universally adopted, maximizes utility.
Universal timely disclosure reduces systemic cyber-risk, fosters trust, and accelerates adoption of
quantum-safe algorithms, yielding higher aggregate welfare than selective or delayed disclosure.
4. Scenario: An engineer refuses on moral grounds to code a feature that makes ad clicks
appear slightly delayed for elderly users (who are less likely to notice), thereby increasing
accidental clicks and revenue.
Which ethical concept best explains the engineer’s refusal?
A. Supererogation – going beyond duty.
B. Integrity – acting in accordance with professional character virtues.
C. Cultural relativism – personal values vary.
D. Consequentialism – net harm exceeds benefits.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The refusal stems from professional integrity—alignment with virtues of honesty and
respect for vulnerable users. It is not supererogation (A) because ACM and IEEE codes imply
such refusal is obligatory, not optional.
5. Scenario: A social-media firm considers removing all anonymity to combat
misinformation.
Critics argue anonymity protects dissidents in authoritarian states.
Applying the prima-facie principle approach (Ross), which duty is most pressing?
A. Duty to maximize shareholder returns.
B. Duty to prevent harm to life and basic liberty.
C. Duty to obey platform-neutral laws.
D. Duty to promote veracity in speech.
, 3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ross ranks duties by stringency; preventing serious harm (imprisonment or death of
dissidents) outweighs duties of veracity or profit. Thus blanket de-anonymization is
impermissible unless less harmful alternatives exist.
6. Scenario: A generative-AI text-to-image service creates photorealistic faces.
A user prompts it to produce a deepfake of a politician taking a bribe.
Under virtue ethics, the developer’s continued hosting of the model without
safeguards is:
A. Courageous – defending free speech.
B. Temperate – avoiding censorship.
C. Vicious – exhibiting lack of phronesis (practical wisdom) and justice.
D. Generous – providing open tools.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Virtues of justice and practical wisdom require anticipating and mitigating foreseeable
harms (election integrity, reputational damage). Failing to implement safeguards is a vice of
negligence.
7. Scenario: A municipality uses an autonomous shuttle. An ethics board must choose
between two algorithmic settings:
• Setting X: In an unavoidable crash, the shuttle swerves to save the most passengers even
if it hits a pedestrian on the sidewalk.
• Setting Y: It never leaves its lane, risking passengers but not bystanders.
A deontological lens would:
A. Prefer Y, because actively redirecting harm uses bystanders as means.
B. Prefer X, because saving more lives is intrinsically good.
C. Be indifferent; consequences alone matter.
D. Prohibit autonomous shuttles entirely.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Deontology forbids using persons merely as means. Swerving onto a sidewalk
instrumentalizes the pedestrian, violating a strict duty. Setting Y respects the pedestrian’s right
not to be harmed as a side-effect of saving others.
8. Scenario: An open-source project adopts a code-of-merit that rewards “code quality
only,” ignoring contributor behavior.
Several core contributors are publicly known for harassing newcomers.
Which philosophical position best supports adding a conduct-enforcement clause?
A. Ethical relativism – norms are community-specific.
B. Virtue ethics – character traits shape community flourishing.
