Unit 47 Emerging Technologies Assignment Brief 2026

Introduction

Emerging technologies have the ability to disrupt industries, radically change the progress and thinking of humankind, affect society at large and solve huge problems. Computing underpins many emerging technologies, it allows rapid development and the sharing of ideas, products and scientific understanding across multiple fields in shorter and shorter timeframes. The objective and effect of emerging technologies is usually to change the status quo. This change might be to solve problems, increase performance, improve efficiency, or to create entirely new scientific fields and novel technologies by converging different systems, technology, thinking and disciplines. Emerging technologies include changing technologies that display radical novelty, have the potential for significant commercial or social impact and fast growth and scalability, and which affect the future in uncertain ways.

This unit introduces students to the role, benefits, disadvantages and potential outcomes that emerging technologies have in the development of software applications and business practices. The aim of the unit is to enhance students’ understanding of the current types, terminology, advantages, disadvantages, potential impact and benefits of emerging technologies.

Among the topics included in this unit are classification and terminology of emerging technologies, review of the most promising and impactful emerging technologies, trends of convergence, the impact of emerging technologies on software development and an understanding of the scale, scope that emerging technologies may have on organisations their employees and the individuals served by them.

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to explain some of the most promising and impactful emerging technologies and the advantages and disadvantages. Students will also understand the impact that emerging technologies have on the development of software applications. As a result, they will develop skills such as communication literacy, design thinking, team working, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, interpretation and computer software literacy, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit students will be able to:

LO1 Review which emerging technologies are necessary and appropriate when designing software applications for the future

LO2 Research an emerging technology and its impact on a given end-user group

LO3 Develop multiple iterations of an emerging technology solution based on requirements

LO4 Consider the ethical, social, economic and legal factors that play a role in the success of emerging technologies.

Essential Content

LO1 Review which emerging technologies are necessary and appropriate when designing software applications for the future

Formats, characteristics and trends of emerging technologies:

Overview of emerging technologies and their appropriate use in software development.

Emerging technology role, purpose and terminology.

Recognise the various forms of emerging technology e.g. educational technology, information technology, nanotechnology, biotechnology, cognitive science, robotics and artificial intelligence.

History and current trends in emerging technologies.

Characteristics of emerging technologies, how they can be used and how they differ from and converge with developed technology.

Recognise specific emerging technologies:

Current trends in emerging technologies and their use in software development and computing e.g. AI, blockchain, IoT, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR).

Advantages of emerging technologies e.g. efficiency gains, increased effectiveness, new and innovative approach.

Risks of emerging technologies e.g. security and data breach risks, fairness and equity due to bias, costs could be high, ethical and legal compliance.

Emerging technologies versus disruptive technologies.

Appropriateness of using of emerging technologies to disrupt the status quo in industries, markets, user adoption and established practices.

LO2 Research an emerging technology and its impact on a given end-user group

Emerging technology impact:

Investigate specific emerging technology that will have the most impact on software application design and development.

Selection of a specific industry and end-user group that will be the most influenced by emerging technology e.g. doctors in diagnostic health setting, bankers in finance and predictive modelling.

Features of selected emerging technology:

Examination of features based on a specifically selected emerging technology to include key characteristics, area(s) of application, impact on user group and working practices e.g. change of job roles, automation, use of systems, working policies.

Contrast the features, advantages and disadvantages of chosen Emerging Technology.

Convergence:

Technologies cohabiting in a single device, sharing resources and interacting, creating new technology and convenience.

How chosen Emerging Technologies can converge with existing technologies or replace them e.g. blend of the mobile telephone and the Internet, design of hybrid vehicles.

LO3 Develop multiple iterations of an emerging technology solution based on requirements

Emerging technology solution:

Small scale prototype solution for a specific user need e.g. AI chatbot, VR video experience, IoT smart solution, 3D printing solution.

Iteration:

Understand end-user requirements by conducting a needs analysis.

Developing an initial prototype based on end user needs.

Iteration based on user feedback and testing.

LO4 Consider the ethical, social, economic and legal factors that play a role in the success of emerging technologies.

Social, economic, and legal factors:

Understanding emerging technologies can produce unintended consequences.

Ability of emerging technologies to transform cultural mores and traditions, economic trends and structures, political behaviour, legal processes and principles, environmental systems and conditions.

The governance challenges associated with emerging technologies e.g. regulations, policies, laws, and constitutions staying abreast of technological advances.

Organisational decision-making process behind technological implementation including the choice between human capital and technology.

Balancing technology risks and rewards including achieving tangible benefits from emerging technologies and predicting threats associated with new innovations.

Replacing existing technologies or change ways of working:

Changes in practice e.g. AI and deep learning replacing traditional medical diagnosis methods, predictive maintenance in IT and industry versus scheduled processes, autonomous or self-driving vehicles replacing human drivers.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Recommended Resources

Textbooks

Christensen, C. M. (2015) The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail (Management of Innovation and Change). Harvard Business Review Press.

Schwab, K. (2016) The Fourth Industrial Revolution. World Economic Forum

Thiel, P. and Masters, B. (2014) Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future. Virgin Digital.

Links

This unit links to the following related unit:

Unit 17: Business Process Support.

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