Opportunity brief
Overview
When the Algorithm Makes the Call: Who Owns the Decision?
In a world where algorithms increasingly influence business decisions, from hiring and pricing to lending and supply chain management, an important question emerges: When an algorithm makes the call, who takes responsibility for the outcome?
NovaExilaro and Xplore, XLRI, invite students across India to participate in an individual article writing competition exploring the intersection of technology, management, leadership, and accountability.
As organisations rely increasingly on data-driven recommendations, the role of human judgement is evolving. Managers may still make the final call, but how much ownership do they truly exercise when decisions are shaped by systems they cannot fully question?
We invite you to go beyond conventional discussions on artificial intelligence and automation. Develop a distinctive perspective, challenge existing assumptions, and present a well-researched argument on where accountability should lie in an algorithm-driven business environment.
Why Participate?
- Get Published: The winning article will be featured in Xplore Magazine in both digital and print formats.
- Reach Industry Leaders: Xplore reaches 50+ CXOs per edition and has a cumulative LinkedIn audience of approximately 4 million impressions.
- Showcase Your Thinking: Present your ideas and insights to an audience of industry leaders, academicians, and management professionals.
- Get Recognised: Best contributions will receive a cash prize of INR [Amount] and an e-certificate.
Who Can Participate?
- The competition is open to all students currently enrolled in a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate programme in India.
- Participation is individual, and each participant may submit one article.
Submission Guidelines
- Word Limit: 500–800 words (excluding title, summary line, author details, and references).
- Format: Microsoft Word (.docx) only.
- Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt, with 1.5 line spacing.
- Page Setup: A4 size with 1-inch margins.
- References: Minimum 3 credible sources, using APA 7 or Harvard referencing style.
- Originality: Articles must be original, unpublished, and primarily written by the participant.
Your article should feature a compelling opening, a clearly developed argument supported by evidence, a counter-perspective, and a conclusion that presents a definite point of view.
Important: AI tools may be used for research and language checking but must not be used to write the article. An AI-use disclosure is mandatory. Entries with a similarity score above 20% (excluding references and quoted text) may be disqualified.
Judging Criteria
- Originality and Insight – 30%
- Argument and Evidence – 25%
- Relevance to the Theme – 20%
- Structure and Clarity – 15%
- Style and Readability – 10%
How to Participate
- Register for the competition through this Unstop page.
- Develop your article in accordance with the theme brief and submission guidelines.
- Save your submission as FullName_CollegeName.docx.
- Upload your article on Unstop before the submission deadline.
Don't just describe how algorithms are changing the world. Question who is accountable when they make the decisions.
Bring your perspective, make your argument, and let your ideas reach beyond the classroom!