Heightened Advantage: The Elite Algorithm

Context

Studies show taller students benefit most from your software, potentially due to increased confidence. Optimizing for this group raises fairness concerns.

Dilemma

Do you:
A) Refine software for a specific group, or
B) Invest in making it equally effective for all students?

Summary

Vietnam’s National University in Hanoi faced backlash after its School of Management and Business introduced a minimum height requirement for admissions—1.58 meters for women and 1.65 meters for men. The rule, meant to ensure "physical suitability" for leadership, sparked public outrage and government intervention. HSB later revised the policy, limiting it to one program, Management and Security.

Resources:

• https://www.dw.com/en/vietnam-outrage-at-student-height-requirement/a-69538765
• https://phys.org/news/2024-09-dna-powerful-predictor-success.html