Technology and Strategic Design

This is a theme course of SPD theme 1: Strategic Design for Technology-enabled Innovation.

This course is designed to empower you with foundational theoretical insights into the trajectories of technological innovation. This course is your gateway to becoming a strategic designer that drives technology-enabled innovation within organizations and across ecosystems. You will delve into the evolution of technologies, their integration with innovation management and strategy, and their alignment or misalignment with societal needs and the rapid pace of change. Explore cutting-edge technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), brain decoding, artificial intelligence, and blockchain, understanding their implications and potential.

This course is tailored to foster your autonomy in acquiring essential knowledge of emerging technologies. Engage with technology experts, confront key ethical and ecological dilemmas inherent in technological advancements, and ponder the role of strategic design in crafting solutions that yield a positive impact on society. Prepare to challenge your perspectives and contribute meaningfully to the discourse on technology and innovation.

The study goals of this course will be assessed by:

- Assessment 1 (presentation, group): graded 1-10 (100%)

- Assessment 2 (report, group) - pass/fail*

(*the calculation of the final grade (which is graded 1-10), but a 'pass' grade in exam 2 is necessary for passing the course.)

You will demonstrate your mastery and understanding of the technology in a group presentation, set against the backdrop of an audience comprising technology experts, your peers, and the course instructors. This presentation is your platform to demonstrate the depth of your knowledge on a selected emerging technology, applying the insights and concepts learned throughout the course. In this presentation, you will be asked to:

- Elaborate on the key principles of the emerging technology, its evolution and its future potential;

- Articulate the role of strategic design in relation to the emerging technology;

- Reflect on the emerging technology's ethical, environmental and societal implications;

Prior to the final presentation, you will have the opportunity to refine your understanding and approach through a formative assessment. This will involve a peer- and self-review of an early version of your presentation, allowing for constructive feedback and insightful reflection to guide your improvements. Both the formative and summative assessment of the presentations will be conducted using a standardized rubric.