Using technology in service of the public good.
ABOUT PIT-UN
Penn’s Public Interest Technology Initiative is part of the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) is a partnership of colleges and universities committed to educating students who can better apply technical understanding and practice to questions of individual rights, justice, social welfare, and the public good, particularly for those members of our society least well served historically and today by existing systems and policies.
Fireside Chats
Fire PIT Chats: Talking Tech and Society with Industry Leaders
Starting in Fall 2024, students are invited to online chats with though leaders who are working at the forefront of technology and society. The 2024 schedule includes chats with leaders from Reddit, Open AI, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Learn more by filling out this interest form here.
PIT Funding Opportunities
There are regular funding opportunities to support work on Public Interest Technology topics. The PIT University Network runs an annual Network Challenge for member schools. NSF and other federal agencies have regular calls for proposals on PIT-related topics. If you are interested in pursuing this opportunities, sign up to our mailing list or reach out to let us know.
Public Interest Technology at Penn
The Public Interest Technology Initiative at Penn is a hub and incubator for Public Interest Technology across Penn. There are faculty and student groups across the University working leveraging science and technology for to address public policy issues. We work to find common cause with and amplify their work.
If you are faculty or a student working on these issues – or are just interested in learning more about what is going on at the University – we want to hear from you.
Opportunities in AI - AI Classes
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere – and it is an important tool for public policy and the work of government. Programs on AI are visible across the University, from the School of Engineering offering the first Ivy League undergraduate degree in AI, to programming on AI for Society Wharton and how AI is changing the law at Penn Carey Law.
If you are using AI for the Public Interest, or want to learn more about programming across the University, let us know! Email us here today!
Master of Urban Spatial Analytics (MUSA)
The Master of Urban Spatial Analytics program at the Weitzman School of Design teaches at the intersection of data science & public policy. In the MUSA Practicum, students are paired with cities to develop data science tools to help cities to better allocate their limited resources.
Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP)
Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP) is a national initiative housed at the School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) designed to support data sharing among education, health and human services agencies for social policy analysis and research. AISP is committed to the ethical use of individual-level administrative data for social policy change, and advocates for the expansion of resources and infrastructure that makes this possible.
Student Opportunities
Are you a student interested in Public Interest Technology? From helping to find research and internship opportunities to promoting events organized by student clubs, we’re here to support you. The PIT@Penn Student Group, the hub for student-related initiatives, is always looking for new leaders. Email us today to learn more.
Get Involved-Spotlight: 1 World Connected
PIT isn’t just about local or domestic policy. 1 World Connected is a global research project of the Center for Technology, Innovation, and Competition at Penn Carey Law to provide an empirical foundation for efforts to close the global digital divide. From Colombia to Rwanda and Vanuatu, the 1 World Connected team studies how to leverage communications technology for the public good.
