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PIT-UN SUMMIT 2024

The Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN)  Summit is the marquee event for public interest technologists from across academia, government, civil society, and industry.

Below, explore videos of panel discussions, keynotes and exclusive studio interviews from the 2024 Summit at San José State University.

Day 1: Thursday, November 7, 2024

LIVE! STUDIO

Welcome to the PIT-UN Summit

PIT-UN Director Andreen Soley and SJSU President Cynthia Teniete-Matson set the stage for the 2024 Summit with Summit Live! Hosts Renée Cummings and Kip Dooley.

KEYNOTE

Anne-Marie Slaughter

CEO of New America Anne-Marie Slaughter celebrates the first five years of the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) and looks ahead to the future of the field.

FIRESIDE CHAT

PIT and Democracy

We’ve seen many gains within the PIT space since PIT-UN began, from new research centers and degree pathways, to early career fellowships and federal funding opportunities, to the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and the first Executive Order on AI.

Considering PIT’s deep ties to public interest lawyering and civil rights movements – and this year’s 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – how can universities and civil society organizations collaborate with the government to protect our rights in an age of rapid technological innovation?

  • Deirdre Mulligan, Professor, School of Information at UC Berkeley
  • Melinda Jackson, Dean, Undergraduate Education, San José State University
  • Margaret Hu, Director of the Digital Democracy Lab, William & Mary Law School (Moderator)

LIGHTNING TALKS

People, Policy & Products

In these quick-round talks, PIT practitioners share how they have advanced PIT workforce development in data science, public health, AI policy, voting administration and more in collaboration with high schools, public health programs, election officials and policymakers.

  • Leah Alexander, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Health School of Global Health, Meharry Medical College

  • Kelsey Badger, Research Data Librarian, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University Libraries

  • Marina Feferbaum, Associate Professor, FGV São Paulo Law School

  • Emily York, Associate Professor, School of Integrated Sciences, James Madison University

PANEL

PIT and Climate Action

As a fundamentally interdisciplinary field, public interest technology offers powerful methods for tackling the complex, multifaceted challenges presented by climate change. Rather than providing tech-driven quick fixes, PIT places community needs at the center of our processes for developing and deploying technologies to help us deal with ongoing climate crises. 

This discussion with climate scientists, engineers, political leaders and policy analysts will explore how we can respond to natural disasters, climate migration and other pressing challenges using technology as a tool, not the solution itself.

  • Senator David Cortese, CA State Senator, District 15

  • Gordon Douglas, Associate Professor, Urban & Regional Planning, SJSU Institute for Metropolitan Studies

  • Lisa Frazier, Senior Researcher, Battelle Center for Science, Engineering and Public Policy

  • Jasmine McNealy, Fellow, New America Public Interest Technology Program (moderator)

PANEL

Supporting Ethical Frameworks & Practices

Industry, policy and foundation leaders will discuss how to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complex ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, ensuring that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a way that benefits society while minimizing harm.

  • Stacy Martinet, VP, Marketing Strategy & Communications, Adobe 

  • Tony Mestres, CEO, The Sobrato Organization (TSO)

  • Peter Leroe-Muñoz, General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Technology & Innovation, Silicon Valley Leadership Group

  • Ron Smith, Vice President of Philanthropy, Salesforce

  • Sela Gaglia, Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations, San José State University (moderator)

     

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Images courtesy of SJSU / Credit Robert C. Bain, Galen Ducy

Day 2: Friday, November 8, 2024

PANEL

Building Tomorrow’s PIT Workforce

A conversation on building K16 infrastructure on workforce development, including exploring public/private, educational institutions, and community stakeholders.

 

  • Albert Gehami, Privacy Officer, City of San José

  • Carrie Maultsby-Lute, Head of Partnerships, Northeastern University Oakland 

  • Liliana E. Castrellón, Assistant Professor; Co-Coordinator, HELM, Educational Leadership Department, San José State University

PANEL

MSI/HSI/HBCU Collaborations and PIT

By highlighting the unique experiences and perspectives of MSI researchers, this session aims to break down barriers and accelerate university partnerships that advance knowledge and promote equitable outcomes.

  • Magdalena L. Barrera, Vice Provost for Faculty Success, Office of the Provost Professor, Chicana and Chicano Studies, San José State University

  • David T. Lee, Assistant Professor of Computational Media, UC Santa Cruz

  • Amy Yeboah Quarkume, Associate Professor of Africana Studies, Howard University

  • Misan Rewane, Executive Director, Stanford Impact Labs (moderator)

LIVE! STUDIO

Future Directions for PIT-UN

PIT-UN has accomplished a lot in its first five years, but we’re just getting started. Hear all about our new Regional Hubs strategy, the Tech for Change student network and get a sneak peek into the PIT-UN Summit Student Track with PIT

Studio co-hosts Renée Cummings and Kip Dooley speak with:

  • Andreen Soley, Director, PIT-UN
  • Elise St. John, PIT Regional Hubs Strategist
  • Colette Basiliere, Executive Director, PIT New England
  • Lisa Frazier, PIT Midwest Hub Lead / The Ohio State University
  • Marissa Gerchick, Data Scientist and Algorithmic Justice Specialist, ACLU
  • Tobi Jegede, Data Scientist and Algorithmic Justice Specialist, ACLU
  • Nia Brazzell, PIT-UN Student Network Coordinator
  • Anjali Tandon, University of Michigan Tech for Social Good

PANEL

Public Interest Tech Business Models

A conversation about the challenges, and possible solutions, to financially sustainable business models that support the responsible stewardship of technology products, people and the planet. What role might Silicon Valley play as a thought leader on the development and implementation of innovative solutions for responsible technology business models?

 

  • Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, San José State University 

  • Yaad Oren, Managing Director, SAP Labs U.S. & Global Head of SAP BTP Innovation 

  • Sylvester Johnson, CEO/Co-Founder, Corporation for Public Interest Technology

  • Lili Gangas, Chief Technology Community Officer, Kapor Foundation (Moderator)

LIVE! STUDIO

PIT & Public Service

The need has never been greater for technologists who want to work in government, civil rights, healthcare, education, and other public interest areas. Leaders in local and federal government, healthcare and law discuss the vital role of public interest technologists in shaping the future of their fields, and career pathways into PIT & public service.

Studio co-hosts Renée Cummings and Kip Dooley speak with:

  • Octavia Abell, CEO, Govern for America
  • Danica Harootian, Senior Manager, Federal Workforce, Partnership for Public Service
  • Eduardo Gonzalez, Program Officer, American Academy of Arts & Science
  • Laura Maddux Bingham, Executive Director, Institute for Law, Innovation and Technology, Temple University
  • Joe Grzywacz, Associate Dean, San José State University
  • Ria Paul, Chief Medical Officer, Santa Clara Family Health Plan

LIVE! STUDIO

PIT Launches

Hear about new publications, products and programs from across the PIT ecosystem including an academic journal, the Corporation for Public Interest Technology, and a new PIT scholarship fund at Howard University.

Studio co-hosts Renée Cummings and Kip Dooley speak with:

  • Amy Yeboah Quarkume, Associate Professor, Howard University

  • Sylvester Johnson, CEO/Co-Founder, Corporation for Public Interest Technology

  • Ann Cleaveland, Executive Director, Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity at UC Berkeley

  • Raymar Hampshire, Product Lead, Sociotechnical and Inclusive Learning (Braid), University of Michigan

FIRESIDE CHAT

Investing in the Future of Public Interest Technology

In just five years, PIT-UN has brought vital energy and attention to the ways technology is taught, developed, deployed and governed across academia, industry, government and civil society. 

In our closing panel, three esteemed PIT leaders — one a key funder, one a university leader and one a scholar— discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities for funders and universities as we look to solidify progress and further grow the field.

  • Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President, San José State University

  • Safiya U. Noble, Professor and Author, University of California, Los Angeles

  • Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation

  • Charlton McIlwain, Vice Provost for Faculty Development, Pathways & Public Interest Technology, New York University (moderator)

PIT-UN, the Next Chapter

Siegel Family Endowment’s approach to “inquiry-driven philanthropy” emphasizes evidence-backed tools and long-term thinking—principles that resonate deeply with the mission of PIT-UN. 

This conversation explores how philanthropy can support public interest technology, the role of educational institutions in this ecosystem, and the opportunities that lie ahead for all stakeholders.

  • Katy Knight, President and Executive Director, Siegel Family Endowment 

  • Andreen Soley, Director, PIT-UN