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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)

Music Curation: Finding Quality When We Get Quantity Over Quality
VP
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 5:36 pm
In an age where music is readily available via streaming music services, how is Spotify using machine learning to find music that is right just for you?
YouTube | Machines Cleaning Up Human Content
John Smith
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Every minute, over 400 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube. What role can AI and Machine Learning have in monitoring content to ensure it is safe and suitable for the platform and viewers?
The Sentinel Initiative — How the FDA Might Know Why You’re Sick Before Your Doctor Does
EAS
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 3:41 pm
An examination of the potential to harness big data to improve public health and safety using natural language processing.
From gaming to healthcare: Microsoft’s approach to visualizing cancer
Matt B
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 9:03 pm
Can machine learning help transform radiation therapy for cancer?
Spotify: Machine Learning as Recommendation Engine and Musical Composer?
Jane S
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 1:09 pm
Spotify has invested heavily in machine learning capabilities to power its recommendation and personalization engines in a competitive streaming environment. Is this a competitive advantage the company can maintain?
How Additive Manufacturing Can Unlock Boeings Biggest Challenges
SSS
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 6:20 pm
Boeing stands to reap great gains from a considered adoption of additive manufacturing by viewing this megatrend from a strategic perspective, beyond just a narrow tactical one
John Deere: Betting the Farm on Machine Learning
MVM
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 1:16 am
Deere's acquisition of Blue River Technology underscores its focus on using machine learning to improve agricultural efficiency
Pinterest knows what you want before you do
JC
Posted on November 8, 2018 at 8:11 pm
With the world's largest image rich data set, Pinterest is using machine learning to show you what you want before you are able to articulate it.
Maison Me-chine
EVM
Last modified on November 13, 2018 at 3:09 pm
Maison Me is a made-to-order apparel brand powered by machine learning.
Will 3-D Printing Take Us to Mars? Relativity Space Thinks So.
Mario Malave
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 2:24 pm
Relativity Space is trying to 3D print a space rocket, and if successful, could revolutionize the space launch industry
BlackRock: Bringing Together Man and Machine
MVA
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 11:27 pm
BlackRock's approach to machine learning to enhance its fund's investment process. How this megatrend is impacting various aspects of the organization and industry.
Can Artificial Intelligence Save Healthcare? Medtronic and IBM Watson: A Perfect Match
Logan Joseph
Posted on November 9, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Medtronic is a first mover in diabetes care with the use of artificial intelligence to improve patient outcomes.
The Rise of 3D Manufacturing in Footwear: What it Means for Nike
Jon Snow
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 3:13 pm
Additive manufacturing within footwear and apparel has the potential to completely alter the customer retail experience as well as supply chain design for the largest players in the industry. How are Nike and Adidas deploying resources to capitalize on this [...]
Achieving more with less in pharma R&D: Takeda’s open innovation programs
Miho Sakuma
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 8:57 am
Japan’s oldest and largest pharmaceutical company chose open innovation as a tool to compete in the race to increase R&D productivity
Does Additive Manufacturing Pose a Threat to Gun Control?
Billy Tabrizi IV
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 5:08 pm
The rise of Additive Manufacturing has been lauded as the next industrial revolution for the many efficiencies that it delivers over traditional manufacturing processes. However, increased access to and sophistication of AM technology also presents potential dangers, including interference with [...]
Dynamic Yield Is Using Machine Learning to Generate Personalized User Experiences for Your Customer
Marketer Mary
Last modified on November 15, 2018 at 6:34 pm
Dynamic Yield is building an omni-channel personalization marketing software that equips any company to rival Amazon. Through machine-learning capabilities, a user received a personalized customer experience across any platform.
SUALAB: Deep Learning For Flexible Operation In Traditional Manufacturing
Haerin Lee
Posted on November 12, 2018 at 11:52 pm
Shifts in the consumer demand are pushing the traditional manufacturers to be more efficient than any other times before. SUALAB is using machine learning on vision inspection to help those manufacturers fulfill the new demand and maintaining control over costs.
Additive Manufacturing for The Final Frontier: How 3D Printing Can Take Us to Mars (and Beyond)
Hunter G
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 1:15 pm
A look at how NASA is using additive manufacturing on Earth and in orbit to realize the future of space exploration.
Robots vs. Humans: How Machine Learning is Impacting the Financial Services Industry
Jane Smith
Last modified on November 12, 2018 at 7:19 pm
Disruptive Technologies: How will machine learning alter society?
How Artificial Intelligence is helping Kraft Heinz to squeeze tomatoes, but not its profitability
Rebeca Dauscha
Posted on November 10, 2018 at 4:50 pm
The growth of private labels in the US and the rise of uncountable food start-ups are threating the status quo of the food industry. Traditional companies are under pressure to cut costs and to innovate faster. Kraft Heinz is relying [...]
Adidas Lives its Slogan, Impossible is Nothing, with 3-D Printed Sneakers
KO
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 5:59 pm
With its new Futurecraft 4D sneaker, Adidas is striving to become the world’s biggest producer of 3-D printed products.
Optum: Machine Learning at the center of Health Care
RicardoN
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 10:58 pm
A brief analysis of Optum and its capabilities and challenges towards developing and implementing machine learning in the Health Care industry.
Additive Manufacturing: Manufacturing Competitive Advantage in MedTech at Stryker
Caitlin
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 4:12 pm
Medical device technology is widely recognized as a competitive industry, with pressure from technological advances and broader cost pressure in healthcare. How can industry leaders such as Stryker leverage new technologies like additive manufacturing to build a long-term competitive advantage?
Additive Manufacturing at GE Aviation
Carlos G
Posted on November 13, 2018 at 7:14 pm
Can jet engine parts really be made from powder? General Electric certainly thinks so.
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