Public Interest Technology (PIT) is an emerging field that asks us to create technical solutions that center the lives of people, equity, inclusion, and accountability to address pressing problems. While many technical solutions have been suggested for the problems our communities face, successful technical solutions will need to include PIT values to better society. Public Interest Technology - New England (PIT-NE) is a new consortium that brings together leaders from academia, industry, government, and non-profits to co-design solutions and create programming to teach fundamental PIT skills to the workforce of tomorrow to ensure technology is used for good.

This interactive talk will introduce the practice of PIT and how everyone can critically assess technology's ethical and social implementation across all sectors. We will also look at a case study of a summer program where undergraduate students from across the region come together to design solutions for project partners while learning PIT skills. While PIT continues to grow, all technologists can learn how to approach problems like a public interest technologist to ensure technology works to serve and protect those who use it by delivering better outcomes.