Introduction to Emerging Technologies (R/618/4177) Assignment Brief 2026

Unit Aims

This unit aims to provide learners with the necessary knowledge and understanding in order to investigate emerging technologies that are available and those that could be available in the future.  Learners will also develop essential academic and research skills and to be able to formally present academic research findings, written and orally.

Assignment Tasks

You have gained employment as an assistant within the Research and Development department of a medical institute. You have been assigned a project to investigate emerging technologies that are currently available and those that could be available in the future, allowing the organisation to future proof their services and consider the options for enhancing their services.

You have been asked to prepare and deliver a presentation to the Project Manager. You will produce presentation materials, supporting notes and other documentation that can be used to evidence your research.

Task 1 – Carry out research for your presentation 

You have been asked to research the following areas and produce notes which:

• Explain the benefits of using digital tools
• Describe the evolution of digital technology in the areas of social media, collaboration, project management, leadership and technology and digital technology
• Detail new emerging technologies solutions that could be used for a range of industries
• Explain the term artificial intelligence and how artificial intelligence could be used in the future
• Explain how artificial intelligence is used
• Describe how artificial intelligence has benefited society
• Explain the concerns people have in relation to artificial intelligence
• Explain how to future proof computing systems
• Identify future technology developments that could be introduced

You will need to retain all evidence of your research to reference in later tasks. Please ensure evidence is retained in the form of documents or screenshots. 

Extension activities: 

To gain a merit grade you must also evidence:

• how to overcome concerns relating to artificial intelligence
• an explanation of the benefits technology has had on a range of industries

To gain a distinction grade you must also evidence:

• an evaluation of the impact artificial intelligence has in personal and business activity in today’s society
• an analysis of the importance of planning for future emerging technology for a business

LO1 AC 1.1, 1.2, 1M1, 1D1

LO2 AC 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2M1, 2D1

LO4 AC 4.1, 4.2

LO5 AC 5.1, 5.3

Task 2 – Produce and deliver your Presentation 

You have been asked to present the findings of your research from Task 1 in the form of a Presentation.

You should explain the research approaches that were available to investigate emerging technology along with your own summary points from the research.

You should explain methods of researching new developments that could be used to keep up to date with computing developments.

Once the presentation is compiled you will deliver the presentation to your Project Manager (tutor).

Extension activities: 

To gain a merit grade your Presentation must evidence that you have:

• used own self review to improve own work by implementing any findings

To gain a distinction grade your Presentation must evidence that you have:

• presented academic work and discussed the content of own work

LO4 AC 4.3, 4.4

LO5 AC 5.2

Task 3 – Implications of change 

The Project Manager will now use your presentation and research to create a roadmap for the institute to detail the changes to be made within the next few years.

You have now been asked to detail any considerations that may need to be made.

Produce a report that: 

• Explains the need for change
• Explains how change can affect people differently.
• Explains methods of implementing change
• Explains the considerations that need to be made when adapting new emerging technology

You have now been asked to carry out a change impact analysis detailing the impact that change could have to the business.

LO3 AC 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria