PiTech Impact Studio exposes students to the opportunities and challenges of creating tech and AI- enabled systems for use in public sector and nonprofit organizations.
The primary purpose of the Impact Studio is to engage future tech leaders with the opportunities and challenges of creating tech- and AI- enabled systems for use in public sector and nonprofit organizations.
Utilizing concepts covered in TECH 5900 Product Studio, students will draw on the processes of research, ideation, selection, and validation in the course of defining and prototyping a digitally-enabled product or intervention to advance the mission of their partner organization, and will gain an appreciation for the context, obstacles, and advantages of applying technology for social good.
Students will:
- Become familiar with challenges currently facing public interest organizations;
- Engage with a specific organization partner to understand their needs and objectives;
- Co-ideate approaches for meeting a particular objective; and
- Iterate and evolve the project work based on input and feedback.
This work should require students to:
- Confront strategic challenges (e.g., will activities produce their desired result?) through their own decision-making;
- Develop relationships with others in the public interest technology communities through guest lectures and throughout their project work; and,
- Grapple with day-to-day management challenges through discussions of projects, course reading, and working hand-in-hand with social impact leaders.
The Impact Studio also aims to:
- Provide students with a genuine opportunity to develop their skills in addressing important societal needs. Students will function as learners and creators, bringing their prior academic training and work experience to bear throughout the term. By its nature, the work of the course will be multidisciplinary, and students will draw on a variety of perspectives and skills to complete successful projects.
- Contribute to the growing field of Public Interest Technology at Cornell Tech and beyond. Course members have the opportunity to model how tech-ecosystem resources can be channeled and leveraged in support of local social change efforts.
SEMESTER: SPRING
CREDITS: 3.00
