Emerging Technologies and Digital Futures

This unit synthesizes contemporary advances in AI, Web 3.0, the metaverse, 5G-connected devices, and extended reality to help students understand business opportunities, technical requirements, and implementation challenges. Learners will move from awareness to application by planning pilots, assessing risks (security, privacy, and ethics), and creating strategic approaches for online presence and customer engagement.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the business and consumer impacts of emerging technologies (GenAI, conversational AI, AGI, 5G, Web 3.0, NFTs, metaverse, and XR) and prioritize opportunities for small-scale pilot projects
• Evaluate security, privacy, ethical, and generational considerations (public vs private architectures, passwords vs passkeys, Web3 challenges, and Gen Alpha behaviors) and recommend mitigation strategies
• Apply project-design principles to develop a pilot or proof-of-concept plan (MVP) for an AI or Web3 initiative, including technology requirements, success metrics, and a change-management approach
• Demonstrate digital strategy skills by creating a concise strategic plan that leverages metaverse/Web3/XR or frictionless shopping technologies to enhance customer engagement while managing online presence and reputation