Should you employ The Robots instead of The Humans?

You are the CEO of BoltonCorp (a fantastical firm that exists only in my own imagination), a multinational firm that operates in 27 countries. Some of your employees live in wealthy societies that have large tax burdens placed on The Humans. Some of your other employees live in poor societies that have little public infrastructure such as safe and effective hospitals and marketplaces. The minimum wage in one of your business units is larger than the maximum wage in one of your other business units! The Humans that you employ are aware that there are unequal conditions, and many are starting to grumble. You are also aware of new technologies involving The Robots (which never grumble) that could be deployed within your firm to lower operating costs in the short-term and eliminate The Humans at almost every level and in almost every unit of your organization.

Answer one or both of the following questions.

Q1: Should you employ The Robots instead of The Humans?

· If no, how will you explain your decision to the board of directors that were hired to monitor your firm and defend shareholder interests?

· If yes, how will you explain your decision to the news media that report on your actions to the entire global society of The Humans?

Q2: Should society make arrangements to alleviate problems caused by employing The Robots instead of The Humans?

· If yes, should the minimum wages, national income, and/or food and health care programs be increased, decreased, or eliminated? Or maybe eliminate The Robots? Any other proposals?

· If no, how do you plan to survive if The Humans riot across the globe?