Modeling More Equitable Energy Systems: An Interview With Nirmal Bhatt.
Nirmal Bhatt is a Dual Masters Candidate in Technology Policy and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at MIT.
Ethical Frameworks for Public Interest Technologists at MIT: An Interview with Caspar Hare.
Caspar Hare is a Professor of Philosophy and Associate Dean for Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) in the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.
Public Interest Benefits through Public Interest Technologies: An Interview with Elisabeth Reynolds.
Elisabeth Reynolds is a Lecturer and Principal Research Scientist focused on systems of innovation, economic development, and industrial competitiveness.
Combining Research and Action for Spatial Justice: An Interview with Eric Robsky Huntley
Eric Robsky Huntley is a Lecturer in Urban Science and Planning, affiliated with the Data + Feminism Lab and Healthy Neighborhoods Study.
Integrating Public Interest Technology in Mechanical Engineering Education: an Interview with Tim Gutowski
I believe that MIT, as an institution of higher learning does have an obligation to pursue the public interest. But in many of our activities it is only manifest in an indirect way.
Measuring Environmental Harm in Prison Landscapes: Geospatial Technology in the service of Grassroots Organizing with Ufuoma Ovienmhada
In my work, I aim to explore this transformative process through projects under the category of satellite Earth observation as well as in the area of microgravity research to apply that technology for sustainable development.
AI for Conservation and Community Building: an interview with Sara Beery, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
I was always motivated to do research that could be of service to my community. I am deeply interested in how developments in the technology we build get translated into things that are accessible and can be used by people beyond our field of expertise.
Climate Education’s Relationship to Public Interest Technology at MIT and Beyond: an interview with Chris Rabe, Postdoctoral Associate, MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative
Scientists and technological innovators should pause at the early stages of technology and product incubation to question: What problem are we attempting to solve? Could we go deeper to the underlying cause of this problem?
Satellite Technologies as Public Interest Tech: an Interview with Danielle Wood
In my work, I aim to explore this transformative process through projects under the category of satellite Earth observation as well as in the area of microgravity research to apply that technology for sustainable development.
The PKG Center and Fostering Public Interest Technologists at MIT: an interview with Alison Hynd and Jill Bassett
There is a need is for us to continue to challenge how MIT students think about themselves and their role at the institute. It’s essential to make public the importance of students working on public interest technology issues.
Blending Tech Skills with Environmental Advocacy: Harnessing the Power of Hackathons as Climate Action with Sanjana Paul
It is important for MIT to expand educational initiatives to deepen students’ understanding of the systemic nature of climate issues in interdisciplinary ways.
Making Public Service Technology in the Classroom and in Office: an interview with Phil Thompson
I believe that MIT can have a huge impact on cities across the nation and beyond if we become collaborators, problem-solvers, and learning partners with cities and communities attempting to address climate change in ways that reduce inequality and improve democracy.
Databases for Community Power: Building Tech for Public Interests with Catherine D’Ignazio
I would push MIT to always remember that it has a commitment to local, as well as global, collaborations. By this, I mean to emphasize the need to build technologies that serve a public, and therefore have an applied nature for a given community.
Building Human Capacity through Collaborative Robotics: an Interview with Julie Shah
I would push MIT to always remember that it has a commitment to local, as well as global, collaborations. By this, I mean to emphasize the need to build technologies that serve a public, and therefore have an applied nature for a given community.
Exploring the Social Dimensions of Automation: an interview with Ben Armstrong
At MIT, I think our goal should be to identify how technology can serve the interests of these various groups – and persuade organizations making investments in new technologies that pushing toward a “positive-sum” approach is beneficial for them.
"Subjective" AI: Data-driven tools for Analyzing Urban Experience with Rohit Sanatani
As researchers, we must take the first step of always remaining critical of the degree to which our data represents the ‘public’ and being aware of the conscious or unconscious decisions that have gone into generating the datasets our work relies upon.
Databases for Grassroot Organizations: Bridging the Public Interest through Theory and Practice with Patricia Garcia Iruegas
MIT can pursue public interest technology when we encourage interdepartmental initiatives that prioritize justice and equity and the continuous evaluation of the societal impact of technological advancements.
Shaping Reparative Technology: Reforming Landlord Tech with Wonyoung So
MIT can pursue public interest technology when we encourage interdepartmental initiatives that prioritize justice and equity and the continuous evaluation of the societal impact of technological advancements.
Technologists Must Build Trust: Making Space for the Public at MIT with Carlo Ratti
MIT can pursue public interest technology when it is connected to the public. Right now, the big question for public interest lies with A.I., both its development and technological application.
3D Software to Boost Low-Cost Housing Options: Encoding Architecture with Larry Sass
Larry Sass is an architectural designer and researcher exploring digital design and fabrication across scales. Sass offers a compelling case for 3D modelling software as a challenge to current industry standards to democratize housing construction as a process.
Technology and Nature: Protecting Biodiversity for Public Good with Aditi Jha
Aditi Jha is a 2023 Sloan Fellows MBA at MIT Sloan. She has worked with the World Bank, the UN and large conglomerates on integrating sustainability (ESG) across high environmental impact sectors like transport, energy, and agriculture.
Defining Public Interest Technology: A Conversation with ChatGPT
In the past year, ChatGPT has become the focus of intense discussion. Its inventors and advocates should consider carefully both the ways that tools like ChatGPT can be used and the guardrails that need to be constructed so that artificial intelligence (AI) is not used unfairly or inappropriately.
Digitalization and the City: Connectivity as a Tool for Identifying Systemic Gaps with Surbhi Agarwal
Surbhi Agrawal is an architect, urban designer and Master in City Planning candidate in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) at MIT. She is also a part of the Senseable City Lab. Agrawal’s work lies at the intersection of urban planning and digital technologies in cities.
Transit Optimization: Technology Shaping the Future of Work and Mobility with Jim Aloisi and Jinhua Zhao
Fundamental changes to how we work and commute have forced public transit agencies to contend with a new normal after the Covid-19 pandemic. Jim Aloisi and Jinhua Zhao of MIT's Transit Lab propose a way forward.
Evaluating Public Participation in Energy Policy with Anushree Chaudhuri
Anushree Chaudhuri is a third-year undergraduate and soon-to-be master's in city planning in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP). She also holds a second bachelor's degree in economics from MIT.