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RC TOM Challenge 2018

November 13, 2018

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The TOM Challenge provides an opportunity for you to continue exploring organizational learning and innovation through the lens of process improvement and/or product development, the focus of RC TOM’s second module. In this challenge, you will investigate how an organization is grappling with machine learning, additive manufacturing, or open innovation. These megatrends are likely to significantly affect how organizations manage process improvement and product development in the coming years of your career. The TOM Challenge requires you to (1) conduct research and write an essay that examines how one organization is facing a particular aspect of one of these megatrends, and (2) write six comments that share your reflections on some of your section mates’ essays.

Your essay should address four questions in the context of the organization you choose:

  1. Why do you think the megatrend you selected is important to your organization’s management of process improvement and/or product development?
  2. What is the organization’s management doing to address this issue in the short term (the next two years) and the medium term (two to ten years out)?
  3. What other steps do you recommend the organization’s management take to address this issue in the short and medium terms?
  4. In the context of this organization, what are one or two important open questions related to this issue that you are unsure about that merit comments from your classmates?

Your essay should convey facts, analysis, and your recommendations. It should focus on a single organization (e.g., a single company, non-profit organization, or government agency) and a concern related to one megatrend. It is fine if the concern you choose relates to other megatrends that the organization is facing, but that’s not required. Roughly a third of your essay should be dedicated to each of the first three questions, with just a few sentences dedicated to the fourth question. Your essay should be at least 700 words but no more than 800 words, and must conclude with a word count in parentheses (such as 778 words).

When posting your essay to Open Knowledge, be sure to enter “Machine Learning”, “Additive Manufacturing”, or “Isolationism” in the Topics field.

More details on research, sourcing, deadlines, and other matters are provided in the RC TOM Challenge: 2018 note.  For assistance with the Open Knowledge platform during business hours (9:00 am – 5:00 pm M-F), email openknowledge@hbs.edu. A short video with instructions on how to post an essay to this platform is available at https://aiinstitute.hbs.edu/platform-rctom/how-to/.

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Submitted (926)

The Promise and Perils of Machine Learning in Pharmaceutical Drug Development
K Shen
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 4:06 am
A look at GlaxoSmithKline's efforts to incorporate machine learning into their drug development processes.
That Friend Who Always Knows What to Say: How Google is Helping Brands Talk to Consumers
Florence the Machine
Posted on November 8, 2018 at 3:53 pm
I don't talk to my friends the same way I talk to my grandma. Neither does Google.
Winsun: Revolutionizing the Construction Industry with 3D Printing
AY2020
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 11:27 pm
Winsun is at the forefront of a paradigm shift in the construction industry. Will 3D printing be the default way we build houses in the future?
Bumble: Is Machine Learning the Future of Online Matchmaking?
anranshoe
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 5:08 pm
Bumble: can online-dating apps use machine learning to substantially increase its ability to accurately matchmake and create values for its users?
Lady Justice and the Machines: An Algorithmic Approach to Criminal Justice Reform
Indigo Watson
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 12:02 am
California Senate Bill 10 (SB 10), which Governor Jerry Brown signed into law in August (2018), fundamentally transforms California’s approach to pretrial detention.[1] As in most states, California previously operated a ‘cash bail’ system, which allowed individuals suspected of having [...]
Building the Supply Chain of the future
Matthieu
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 10:00 pm
In an evolving world, Supply Chain service providers need to proactively invest in new technologies to try and avoid obsolescence. Will that be enough?
The London bus is dead. Long live the London bus.
all_aboard2020
Last modified on November 14, 2018 at 6:37 pm
CityMapper is looking to revolutionise mass bus transport by using machine learning to create adaptive networks in London. Optimising for some, however, could mean everyone loses out.
Help You Help You: Navient’s New Reliance on Open Innovation
avisa
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:55 pm
Using innovation to improve the debt crisis
Underwriters or data scientists: who will help Brian Duperreault make AIG great again?
rohanmal
Last modified on November 15, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Brian Duperreault is focused on refreshing AIG's underwriting talent to execute a turnaround, but should he turn his attention to data science and machine learning instead?
Walking on the Sidewalk: Building the future of cities in Toronto
PPTjuice
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 5:16 pm
Sidewalk Labs, by applying technology like machine learning coupled with innovative urban design, is building the future of cities in downtown Toronto
AI chatbot behind Alibaba’s $31 billion Single’s Day sales miracle
Amanda Dong
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 4:27 pm
This essay introduces how Alibaba uses the artificial intelligence chatbot, AliMe, to perform customer service.
Customization vs. Scale – How BMW Imagines the Future of Cars
Peter Wintermaier
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 2:38 pm
BMW Group seems to regard additive manufacturing as a source of new products and innovative business models rather than a manufacturing process to resolve existing issues.
Can AI save brick-and-mortar retail?
KMS
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 2:28 pm
With the increased penetration of e-commerce, declining in-store traffic, and retailer bankruptcies, brick-and-mortar retail is experiencing tremendous headwinds. Neiman Marcus has recognized that digital innovation is critical for the future viability of retail and is seeking to optimize and personalize [...]
Walmart’s Dual Incentive To “Do Good”: Bottom-Line Profit Through Elimination of Food Waste
Wally
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Can Walmart be at the forefront of a solution to alleviate global food waste, while prospering themselves?
Machine Learning: Innovate Your Way to an Unproductive Majority
Jonathan Mason
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:57 pm
Back of House USA was founded on November 22, 2017. Rodney McLeod Jr. of the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles tapped Sir Kevin James, designer and owner of ShopCore (4 locations in DC Metropolitan Area) and his best friend Jonathan [...]
Printing the Future of Athletic Shoes at Adidas
Zack
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 10:28 am
As the speed and quality of additive manufacturing improves, innovative companies like Adidas are bringing 3D printing from the prototyping lab to the manufacturing floor.
A Tactical Advantage? Additive Manufacturing in the US Military
Daniel
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 7:57 pm
How is the United States military utilizing 3-D printing and what is the way forward?
Printing Ideas: Innovating Ford’s Product Development Cycle through Additive Manufacturing
Allen Dorsey
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 11:47 pm
How additive manufacturing (3D Printing) has become ingrained in Ford's product development cycle through rapid prototyping.
Square: Using machine learning to de-risk small business lending
Sal Paradise
Posted on November 9, 2018 at 6:25 pm
Square is using transaction data to de-risk small business loans.
Future of Footwear? Additive Manufacturing at Adidas
George P. Burdell
Last modified on November 11, 2018 at 3:11 pm
Sportswear manufacturer Adidas is incorporating 3D-printing in its new sneaker line
Personalized Styling at Scale: What is the right balance between machine and human input?
GSGoldstein
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 10:25 am
Stitch Fix delivers personalized styling at scale through a combination of machine-learning algorithms and human input. As they continue to scale into new markets and new business lines, what is the right balance of machine vs. human input?
No More Blackouts: How PG&E is using machine learning to strengthen the power grid
Covfefe
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 10:25 am
As society’s reliance on constant energy consumption continues to increase, Pacific Gas and Electric is investing in deep learning capabilities to enhance grid reliability and to integrate distributed energy resources at massive scales.
Affectiva’s emotion AI humanizes how people and technology interact
Jona Babi
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 1:55 am
When machines understand human emotions ...
Cyft: The Promise of Machine Learning to Deliver Health Care Over Sick Care
ZinM
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:33 pm
Cyft, a cloud-based predictive analytics platform, is making big bets that it will be able to predict your health in the future, and ultimately improve health outcomes and bring down costs.
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