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Article Details

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): August

Autonomy & accountability in 4IR: Ethical implications of AI driven automation in Sustainable Business

https://doi.org/10.35912/gams.v2i1.3540
15 Oct 2025

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how AI in Industry 4.0 is impacting work and business, posing ethical concerns. It addresses labor market disruptions, organizational transformation, sustainability, algorithmic bias, data privacy, and job displacement ethics. The report examines how AI adoption might help inclusive economic development and SDGs.

Research Methodology: The research uses mixed methodologies, incorporating qualitative and quantitative data. Secondary sources include 2019–2025 academic journal articles, government papers, industrial publications, and international databases. The research uses a systematic literature review, thematic analysis, statistical evidence from robotics adoption databases, and case studies in manufacturing, logistics, and service industries to discover patterns. The integration of theory and practice employs descriptive-exploratory approaches.

Results: Results indicate rising global use of industrial robots and AI, with South Korea, Singapore, and Germany exhibiting the highest robot density. AI automates monotonous activities and creates hybrid professions that demand digital and analytical talents. AI-adopting companies are becoming more flexible and data-driven. However, ethical issues such algorithmic bias in recruiting and decision-making, surveillance technology privacy threats, and low-skilled worker job displacement persist.

Conclusions: AI has promise to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability, but requires strong governance, ethical frameworks, and ongoing reskilling. Without controls, inequities and ethical problems may grow

Limitations: The study depends on secondary data and literature evaluation, with minimal original field research for context-specific insights.

Contribution: This study advances ethics, management, sustainability, and offers practical AI recommendations for stakeholders.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence Ethical Challenges Industry 4.0 Sustainable Development Workforce Transformation

How to Cite

Tanha, M. ., Parvez, S. ., Papon , K. D. ., Hoque , M. E. ., Al Amin, M. ., Sarkar, S., Mahmud, S. ., & Hossain, M. Z. (2025). Autonomy & accountability in 4IR: Ethical implications of AI driven automation in Sustainable Business. Global Academy of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2(1), 39–59. https://doi.org/10.35912/gams.v2i1.3540

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Authors

1 . Moutusi Tanha
University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
2 . Sohel Parvez
University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
3 . Kabbya Das Papon
University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
4 . Md. Erfanul Hoque
International Islamic University Chittagong, Bangladesh
5 . Muhammad Al Amin
Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
6 . Shatirtho Sarkar
University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
7 . Sultan Mahmud
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
8 . Md Zakir Hossain
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): August
Section: Articles
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