San José State University will host the annual Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) Summit on November 7-8, bringing together public interest technologists from academia, government, and industry. The summit aims to promote collaboration between universities to nurture a new generation of civic-minded technologists. This year’s event will be the first on the West Coast and will feature corporate panelists in addition to government and academia.
The two-day summit will include a fireside chat with SJSU President Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, UCLA scholar Safiya Noble, and Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, discussing how public interest technology can support healthy public discourse and address societal challenges. Hosting the summit demonstrates SJSU’s leadership in public interest technology issues.
President Teniente-Matson emphasizes the university’s commitment to driving innovation for the public good. PIT-UN sees SJSU as a valuable host due to its dedication to producing diverse talent and bridging emerging technologies with ethical and equitable solutions.
The summit will feature both in-person and virtual sessions, with a student track offering workshops and breakout rooms. Topics include preparing an ethical AI workforce, PIT and democracy, and best practices for collaborating with Minority- and Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Outside speakers include Russell Hancock, Misan Rewane, and State Senator Dave Cortese, among others. PIT-UN aims to create a multidisciplinary, cross-sectoral gathering to address current challenges and pave the way for the future of public interest technology.
The summit will showcase critical inquiry, collaborative problem-solving, systems thinking, storytelling, and community engagement as essential tools for navigating the evolving landscape of technology and society. Attendees can participate in virtual sessions, with sessions open to the public.
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