Project: International Political Economy, the annual fall forum to address the ways that industries must take action to combat global challenges. Teams from USD, Notre Dame, and Benedictine College propose strategies to navigate challenges.

Presentation Prompt: Amid U.S.–China–EU competition over AI technologies, how can countries balance national security concerns over AI technology with priorities of economic growth, innovation, and technological development? Propose strategies for two firms to navigate the challenges of geopolitical tension and technological sovereignty.

Company: SemantiWeb, a consumer insights consultancy for fashion, cosmetics, and health and wellness. SemantiWeb analyzes online conversations to uncover who the consumers behind online conversations are and what drives them. By turning big data into consumer insights, the company helps firms understand audience passions, concerns, and communities to better target marketing campaigns. Their work has supported leading cosmetics, luxury, and fashion brands in identifying new growth opportunities.

Presentation Prompt: Assess and understand the current and potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the consumer insights function/industry, with a specific focus on its state of adoption, perceived value, challenges, and its strategic role from the perspective of consumer insights professionals and marketing managers.

Company: Tekiti, a B Corp certified social enterprise based in Jalisco, Mexico, with over a decade of experience facilitating collaborations between artisan workshops and brands from various sectors. Tekiti’s mission is to empower artisan communities through partnerships for sustainable impact, collaborating with 200 artisans in 6 states with over 35 different craft techniques to help promote the fair trade of their crafts.

Presentation Prompt: Design a comprehensive digital transformation strategy to improve the operational efficiency, marketing effectiveness, global reach and societal impact of Tekiti’s business.

Company: Enabled Talent, connects inclusive employers with highly skilled professionals with disabilities, amplifying human potential through purpose-driven innovation. A company focused on building solutions that help organizations recognize talent in all its forms, where hiring decisions are based on capabilities and potential rather than assumptions.

Presentation Prompt: Analyze the U.S. market opportunity for talent acquisition and Disability Inclusion/DEI solutions, assessing market size and trends in inclusive hiring and AI-driven HR technology. Provide a regulatory overview covering ADA and EEOC guidelines and relevant state-level DEI and AI laws. Develop a go-to-market strategy targeting corporate, public sector, and nonprofit DEI leaders, recommending partnerships with advocacy groups and identifying key employee partners in major states. Address sales and marketing considerations and a risk mitigation strategy.

Company: Algos AI partners with businesses to design, build, and deploy AI systems that are customized, autonomous, and integrated into enterprise operations. Algos operates under a dual business model, being both a software publisher and a strategic AI consultancy. Their engagement extends beyond providing software to include auditing client needs, designing bespoke AI systems, and providing comprehensive integration support.

Presentation Prompt: Assess the U.S. AI software and consulting market opportunity by evaluating market size, growth trends, and addressable segments, such as HR functions and the hospitality industry, using TAM, SAM, and SOM frameworks to define obtainable market estimates for priority regions at launch. Benchmark competitors, recommend buyer profiles, and map both national and state-specific regulatory landscapes to inform entry. Create a marketing plan with clear U.S. value propositions, tailored positioning, and an entry model while developing a partnership plan with consultancies, cloud vendors, and system integrators. Localize and design digital content and plan events for visibility. Operationally, set a U.S. data hosting roadmap, adapt customer support to American business culture, and outline required security certifications. Provide a risk assessment, propose mitigation strategies, and establish a market entry dashboard for effective execution.