
Scenario 3
'Jean'
Your onsite catering at school is provided by an external company.
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In line with successful trials at Scottish schools, the company would like to install facial recognition AI in the dining hall in order to process meal payments.
This will also enable you to check lunch attendance. In addition, the role of the checkout supervisor will no longer be needed, creating room in the budget for more healthy food choices education.
How should you respond?
Much depends on your role at the school. However, as a member of staff, you are allowed to voice your opinion.
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Firstly, is this legal? Can an external company collect, process and store the facial characteristics of the children? What concerns might you have? What are the wider ramifications of facial recognition software?
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How will this alter your relationship with the students? Presumably, the software will also be able to tell how long individuals remain in the dining hall. Will senior management start monitoring how long staff are spending at lunch?
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You'd welcome a greater focus on healthy food choices (especially since the students all prefer the Meal of beige - garlic bread, chips, pasta). However, the checkout supervisor whose role will be eliminated, is held by Jean. Jean has been working in the kitchens for 17 years and knows each and every one of the pupils. She has, on several occasions, reported concerning behaviour to pastoral staff. She is too old to retrain now.