INDEXTRACK: STRATEGYTRACK: CREATIVE

Subject ID

M01-M1_

UNCLASSIFIED
Module 01

M1 L2 Project Brief

Project Brief: The Ecosystem & Power-Player Analysis

Module: 1: Mastering the New Age of Intelligence Lesson: 2: The Engine Room: Analyzing the Tech Behind the Transformation

1. Objective

Your objective is to move beyond headlines and develop a sophisticated, strategic map of the current AI ecosystem. This project will challenge you to analyze the key players not as a simple list, but as an interconnected system of dependencies, strategic advantages, and control points. The goal is to produce a clear intelligence brief on where the power truly lies in the industry.

2. The Scenario

Imagine you are a junior analyst at a Venture Capital firm. A senior partner is considering a major investment in a new AI startup. Before she does, she needs to understand the current landscape. She doesn't want a simple list of companies; she wants a strategic analysis of the ecosystem itself.

She has tasked you with creating a presentation that maps out the AI ecosystem, identifies the true power players, and analyzes their strategic positions. She needs to know who has leverage, who is dependent on whom, and where the next big opportunities—or threats—might come from.

3. Your Task

You are to develop a visual presentation (in Markdown format, which can be converted to slides) that maps the current AI ecosystem. You will not just list the players, but analyze their interdependencies, strategic advantages (or "moats"), and control points.

Your analysis must be built around the core components of the AI stack discussed in the lecture: Hardware, Software, and Data. You should leverage the insights from the NVIDIA "2025 Trends Report" summary to inform your analysis of the hardware and software layers.

4. Key Requirements

Your presentation must include the following:

  1. The AI Stack Model:

    • Start with a simple visual model of the three-layer stack: Hardware, Software (Foundation Models), and Data/Applications.

  2. The Hardware Layer Analysis:

    • Key Player: Identify and profile Nvidia.
    • Strategic Position: Explain why their dominance in GPUs gives them immense power. What is their "moat"?
    • Dependencies: Who depends on them? (e.g., Cloud providers, AI labs).

  3. The Software (Foundation Model) Layer Analysis:

    • Key Players: Identify and profile OpenAI and Google.
    • Strategic Position: What is their primary advantage? (e.g., first-mover advantage, research talent, massive datasets).
    • Dependencies: Who do they depend on? (e.g., Nvidia for hardware). Who depends on them? (e.g., application developers).

  4. The Application/Data Layer Analysis:

    • Key Players: Choose and profile two companies that are building applications on top of the foundation models (e.g., a well-known AI startup like Jasper, or a large enterprise like Adobe integrating AI into their products).
    • Strategic Position: How are they creating a unique advantage? Is it through user experience, a specific niche, or—most importantly—proprietary data?
    • Dependencies: Map their dependencies on the layers below them.

  5. Synthesis: The Power Dynamic Map:

    • Conclude with a summary slide that visually maps the flow of power and dependency. Use arrows to show who provides essential resources to whom. For example: Nvidia -> Google -> AI Startup.
    • Include a brief analysis of the key chokepoints or control points in the ecosystem.

5. Format and Deliverable

  • Format: A well-structured Markdown document. Use headings (##, ###) to structure your slides. You can use bullet points and simple diagrams (using text and arrows like -->) to represent relationships.
  • Length: The equivalent of 5-7 presentation slides.
  • Deliverable: A single .md file named Ecosystem_Analysis.md.

7. Tips for Success

  • Visuals are Key: Since this is a presentation, prioritize clear and impactful visuals. Even simple text-based diagrams can be very effective if well-designed.
  • Focus on "Why": Don't just state what a company does; explain why their position is strategically important and what leverage they have.
  • Use the NVIDIA Report: Leverage the insights from the NVIDIA "2025 Trends Report" to support your analysis of the hardware and software layers.
  • Keep it Concise: Each "slide" should convey a single, clear message. Avoid dense paragraphs.

6. Evaluation Criteria

Your analysis will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Strategic Analysis (50%):
    • Do you go beyond simple descriptions to analyze the strategic position of each player?
    • Do you correctly identify their "moats" (sources of competitive advantage) and dependencies?
    • Are your insights into their power dynamics well-supported?
  • Ecosystem Thinking (30%):
    • How well do you demonstrate an understanding of the interconnections between the hardware, software, and application/data layers?
    • Is your final Power Dynamic Map insightful and does it clearly illustrate the flow of power and dependencies?
  • Clarity and Structure (20%):
    • Is the presentation well-organized, clear, and easy for a busy executive to understand?
    • Are your visual models (e.g., the AI Stack Model, Power Dynamic Map) effective and easy to interpret?

END OF TRANSMISSION

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