Expanding Our Reach: Amplifying SSIT’s Societal Mission

Murty Polavarapu

For over five decades, the IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT) has been the professional home for everyone concerned with how technology impacts the world, and how the application of technology can improve the world. Over this period, we have fostered a unique forum for serious reflection on the ethical, legal, social, and environmental impacts of technological progress. We share our insights with the rest of the IEEE at various events and conferences. We reach the wider community through our publications. We collaborate with some non-IEEE organizations with common interests.

SSIT is unique in the IEEE community in that it brings together diverse voices from engineering, the sciences, the humanities, government, industry, and civil society.

However, today, the exponential pace of technological change, particularly in artificial intelligence, calls for a much stronger and more visible effort in what we do. Today’s environment is marked by both enormous promise and deep uncertainty and unease. At the IEEE level, the updated strategic plan for 2025–2030 specifically includes the goal to “Drive technological innovation while promoting scientific integrity and the ethical development and use of technology.” It also includes another goal to “Expand public awareness of the significant role that engineering, science, and technology play across the globe” [1]. Both objectives align directly with SSIT’s mission.

SSIT is unique in the IEEE community in that it brings together diverse voices from engineering, the sciences, the humanities, government, industry, and civil society. We must leverage the strength of that diversity to amplify our voice in engagement with other professional organizations and, even more importantly, with the general public and policymakers. Our task is to provide unbiased, qualified advice and technical expertise to help shape a future that reflects our shared goals of broad benefit to humanity.

In the coming year, I invite SSIT’s leadership, volunteers, and members to the following.

• Forge internal and external alliances with other IEEE Technical Societies and peer professional associations. SSIT can organize tracks at technical conferences to foster conversations about the ethical implications of emerging technologies and their societal implications.
• Encourage and empower our chapters to engage local communities in hosting “Technology and Society Forums.” These events, possibly at local libraries, community centers, and educational institutions, can explore critical topics like the ethics of AI, the future of work, and the specific issues that matter to their community.
• Participate in public policy activities globally. In the U.S., IEEE-USA has various volunteer committees with staff support to create position statements on topics of interest to lawmakers. Similarly, IEEE also has a European Union Public Policy Committee (EPPC) to engage with the European public authorities. We can also work with IEEE Regions and Sections in other countries on policy initiatives.

We are at the cusp of a monumental technological disruption. At this critical juncture, SSIT’s role has never been more vital. I hope that by embracing these expanded roles and pathways, we can more effectively fulfill our mission of advancing technology for humanity.