FAQs

• What is Public Interest Technology?
  • Public Interest Technology (PIT) is a multidisciplinary field that applies technological expertise to advance the public good across various sectors like healthcare, education, and environmental protection. It encompasses the creation, application, and study of technologies with a focus on their ethical, legal, and societal implications. PIT aims to promote justice, dignity, and autonomy for all, especially those most affected by technology's potential harms. The field involves a broad range of disciplines and emphasizes the responsibility of both public and private sectors in critically assessing the benefits and risks of new technologies. PIT also includes efforts to mitigate harmful impacts of technology and incorporate technical knowledge into policy-making.
• What is the Public Interest Technology University Network?
  • The Public Interest Technology University Network is a partnership that fosters collaboration among universities and colleges committed to building the nascent field of public interest technology and growing a new generation of civic-minded technologists. Through the development of curricula, research agendas, and experiential learning programs in the public interest technology space, these universities are trying innovative tactics to produce graduates with multiple fluencies at the intersection of technology and policy.
• How do I join PIT-UN?
  • PIT-UN is not accepting new member applications in 2024. If you are interested in membership and would like to be put on a list of institutions for future outreach, please email [email protected].
• When and where is the PIT-UN Summit 2024 taking place?
  • The summit will be held on November 7-8, 2024, at San José State University in San José, California.
• What is the main theme of the 2024 PIT-UN Summit?
  • The theme is "Transformation: Leveraging Technology for Workforce Development and Social Impact."
• What topics will be covered at the summit?
  • Topics include AI ethics, smart cities, digital counter-storytelling, data in social justice, PIT workforce development, and collaborations with Minority-Serving Institutions. Click here to view the full summit agenda and list of speakers.
• Who can attend the PIT-UN Summit?
  • The summit welcomes public interest technologists from academia, government, civil society, industry leaders, students, artists, activists, and entrepreneurs.
• Will there be student-specific sessions at the summit?
  • Yes, there will be a student track featuring peer learning workshops and career-focused sessions.
• How does the summit address workforce development?
  • The summit will explore strategies for preparing future PIT professionals and building collaborations between academia, industry, and government.
• Will there be networking opportunities at the summit?
  • Yes, the summit will feature networking activities, interactive sessions, and opportunities to connect with leaders in the field.