AI, Bio, and Emerging Technologies

This unit examines cutting‑edge advances in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, energy, and materials and their implications for business model innovation, risk management, and entrepreneurship. Students will evaluate opportunities and threats created by technologies such as synthetic data, robo‑labs, personalized medicine, longevity tech, and novel energy/materials, building practical strategies that prepare them for implementation and the capstone unit.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze emerging technologies (e.g., self‑play systems, synthetic data, robo‑labs, genetic engineering, solar/hydrogen advances, and digital materials) to identify at least three viable business opportunities and three associated operational or market risks for each opportunity
• Evaluate ethical, legal, and societal implications of deploying advanced technologies (including AI in healthcare, genetic modification, synthetic data use, and algorithmic personalization) and recommend compliance and mitigation strategies aligned with applicable regulations and industry best practices
• Apply principles of product design, customization, and automation to develop a concise business concept and one‑page go‑to‑market plan that leverages synthetic data, automated experimentation, or new materials to meet a defined customer need
• Demonstrate strategic planning for workforce and operations by creating a transition plan that assesses impacts of automation and AI colleagues on roles, estimates costs/benefits, and prescribes training, recruitment, and risk‑management actions