Technology & InnovationEasy DifficultyTrending 2025

Should AI-generated content be mandatorily labeled?

Asked by: IIM Bangalore (2024)

Quick Answer

WAT Topic: "Should AI-generated content be mandatorily labeled?" - technology category, easy difficulty. Consider 2 perspectives for a balanced essay.

Both Perspectives

Yes, Mandatory Labeling

  • 1Right to know content origin for informed decisions
  • 2Prevents deepfake manipulation in elections
  • 3Maintains trust in human creativity and journalism
  • 4EU AI Act already mandates this

Against/Cautious

  • 1Technical enforcement is nearly impossible
  • 2May stifle innovation and creative uses
  • 3Blurs line when AI assists vs creates
  • 4Overregulation before technology matures

Sample Essay Structure

Introduction

Reference recent deepfake videos in elections. State: labeling is necessary with practical limitations.

Body Paragraphs

1

Para 1: Why transparency matters (trust, manipulation)

2

Para 2: Implementation challenges

3

Para 3: Practical approach (mandatory for high-stakes content)

Conclusion

Mandatory for political/news content, voluntary guidelines for creative content.

Common Mistakes

Not acknowledging enforcement challenges

Extreme positions (all AI bad or all AI good)

Not knowing about EU AI Act

Pro Tip

This is relatively new. Show awareness of recent developments like EU AI Act and OpenAI's watermarking.

Writing Framework (Applies to All WAT)

Aristotle

Rhetoric (4th Century BC)

Insight: Persuasion requires ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic) working together.

How to apply: Structure your WAT with logical arguments (logos), establish credibility through data/examples (ethos), and connect to human impact (pathos). IIM evaluators look for all three.

Chip & Dan Heath

Made to Stick (2007)

Insight: Ideas that stick are Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and tell Stories (SUCCESs).

How to apply: Open with an unexpected fact or angle. Use concrete examples, not abstractions. Ground arguments in credible data. Make it memorable.

Steven Pinker

The Sense of Style (2014)

Insight: Good writing is about showing the reader something in the world, not performing your knowledge.

How to apply: Don't write to impress—write to illuminate. Avoid jargon and pompous language. Show you understand the issue, don't just list points.

George Orwell

Politics and the English Language (1946)

Insight: Clear thinking leads to clear writing. Never use a long word where a short one will do.

How to apply: Prefer active voice. Cut unnecessary words. If you can cut a word, cut it. Clarity beats complexity in 200-word essays.

School-Specific WAT Styles

IIM Ahmedabad

Values original thinking and nuanced positions over conventional wisdom.

Tip: IIMA loves contrarian but well-reasoned takes. Don't be afraid to challenge the premise of the topic itself.

IIM Bangalore

Practical, business-oriented evaluation. Values structured thinking.

Tip: IIMB appreciates when you connect topics to business/management implications. Always include "so what" for managers.

IIM Calcutta

Rigorous analytical approach. Values data and economic reasoning.

Tip: IIMC loves numbers. Include at least one relevant statistic. Show you understand economic trade-offs.

IIM Lucknow

Balanced evaluation of content and expression.

Tip: IIML values clear structure. Use explicit transitions and signposting.

XLRI Jamshedpur

Ethics-focused, values human-centric perspectives.

Tip: XLRI's Jesuit heritage means they value ethical dimensions. Always consider the human/social impact angle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What stance should I take on "Should AI-generated content be mandatorily labeled?"?

There's no "right" stance. What matters is taking a clear position and defending it well. This is relatively new. Show awareness of recent developments like EU AI Act and OpenAI's watermarking.

Which IIMs have asked about Should AI-generated content be mandatorily labeled??

This topic has been asked by: IIM Bangalore (most recently in 2024).

How do I structure my WAT on this topic?

Reference recent deepfake videos in elections. State: labeling is necessary with practical limitations. Your body should cover: Para 1: Why transparency matters (trust, manipulation); Para 2: Implementation challenges; Para 3: Practical approach (mandatory for high-stakes content).

Related WAT Topics

Key Takeaways

  • 1Introduction: Reference recent deepfake videos in elections. State: labeling is necessary with practical limitations.
  • 2Key argument: Para 1: Why transparency matters (trust, manipulation)
  • 3Pro tip: This is relatively new. Show awareness of recent developments like EU AI Act and OpenAI's watermarking.

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