Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

• Economic Trend: Smart watches over taking traditional watches
• Source: https://www.ibtimes.com/apple-watch-has-overtaken-swiss-watch-industry-2916980
• I believe there is an opportunity here because while more traditional dial watches have become rather old and obsolete due to the advanced technologies of phones and computers smart watches provide all the style of a regular watch with much more capability and appeal.
• I think the prototypical customer are people who are drawn to technology and advancements. Smart watches make it easier to do things such as read texts or emails as well as measure body outputs and set reminders and alarms. I think it may be difficult to exploit this opportunity only because there are already established and accepted smart watches on the market so creating a new one may prove difficult.
• I think I saw an opportunity here because I realized how few people nowadays wear traditional watches. Also I have realized the sudden growth in interest in smart watches and their endless capabilities.
• Economic Trend: AI and Machine Learning
• Source:https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielnewman/2017/08/08/top-5-digital-transformation-trends-in-manufacturing/#39692070249f
• I believe there is an opportunity here because through the constant improvement of artificial intelligence we can apply it to automated factories and increase production by multitudes. AI is a gateway to automated and efficient production in the world. 
• I think the prototypical customer for this would be large corporations or businesses looking to advance their factories and make them better. I don't think it would be hard to apply this opportunity because the technology already exists its just a matter of putting everything together. 
• I think I saw this as an opportunity because of my accounting class. In my class we are constantly talking about how to make businesses and factories more efficient and run smoother and I belie AI is the answer.
• Regulatory Change: To regulate marijuana 
• Source:https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr420
• I believe there is an opportunity here because the regulation and legalization of marijuana could allow for increased economic growth and government revenue if regulated correctly. I also believe if regulated correctly it could provide help to those in need of mental or physical healing.
• I think the prototypical customer are those who are in need of pain therapy for both physical and mental pain. As marijuana provides a less addictive and less deficit option to opioids. I think it may be hard to apply this because of the political yellow  tape surrounding the whole subject of marijuana.
• I think I saw this opportunity because I often discuss the possible effects marijuana would have on society if legalized and regulated. I believe if done correctly marijuana could truly help those in need of it. 
• Regulatory Change: Should the federal government regulate vaccines
• Source:https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr2527
• I believe there is an opportunity because Vaccines are important and are used to prevent a multitude of deadly diseases from resurfacing. For example the recent decline of vaccinations led to resurgence of the measles virus that hadn't been seen in almost twenty years. 
• I think the prototypical customers would be anyone in support of mandatory vaccines which in my opinion is a great idea and should be required. I think it could be difficult to apply this due to the rules and regulations on if the federal government can declare something as required over individual state governments.
• I think I saw this opportunity because of the recent news of people refusing to vaccinate their children. I also think it had to do with me remembering going in to get my vaccines as a child and young adult.