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Have You Ever wondered what governments that collect deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), do with the data? In 2009, I completed a Masters in the Faculty of Law at the University of Wollongong Australia, exploring the impact of DNA storage in all its forms ( Figure 1 ). Encouraged by my thesis supervisor, Associate Professor Clive Harfield, formerly of the Center for Transnational Crime Prevention (CTCP) at UOW, I investigated the S and Marper case [1] , [4] 

Have You Ever wondered what governments that collect deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), do with the data? In 2009, I completed a Masters in the Faculty of Law at the University of Wollongong Australia, exploring the impact of DNA storage in all its forms ( Figure 1 ). Encouraged by my thesis supervisor, Associate Professor Clive Harfield, formerly of the Center for Transnational Crime Prevention (CTCP) at UOW, I investigated the S and Marper case [1] , [4] 

Edge computing is an emerging computing paradigm representing decentralized and distributed information technology architecture [1] . The demand for edge computing is primarily driven by the increased number of smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) that generate and transmit a substantial amount of data, that would otherwise be stored on cloud computing services. The edge architecture enables data and computation to be performed in close proximity to users and data sources and acts as the pathway toward upstream data centers [2] . Rather than sending data to the cloud for processing, the analysis and work is done closer to where the source of the data is generated ( Figure 1 ). Edge services leverage local infrastructure resources allowing for reduced network latency, improved bandwidth utilization, and better energy efficiency compared to cloud computing. 

In 1992, Stephenson [1] described a type of metaverse in his science fiction novel Snow Crash . Through his imagination, Stephenson is said to have directly influenced the makers of Google Earth, and, more recently, Silicon Valley’s “Metaverse” [2] . In addition, there was a spate of literature published 15–20 years ago, related to metaverse concepts with the introduction of Second Life in June 2003 by Linden Labs. Many users experienced virtual spaces, shopped with virtual currency (Linden dollar, L $ ), and even frequented virtual storefronts [3] . 

The dark side of AI has been a persistent focus in discussions of popular science and academia (Appendix A), with some claiming that AI is “evil” [1] . Many commentators make compelling arguments for their concerns. Techno-elites have also contributed to the polarization of these discussions, with ultimatums that in this new era of industrialized AI, citizens will need to “[join] with the AI or risk being left behind” [2] . With such polarizing language, debates about AI adoption run the risk of being oversimplified. Discussion of technological trust frequently takes an all-or-nothing approach. All technologies – cognitive, social, material, or digital – introduce tradeoffs when they are adopted, and contain both ‘light and dark’ features [3] . But descriptions of these features can take on deceptively (or unintentionally) anthropomorphic tones, especially when stakeholders refer to the features as ‘agents’ [4] , [5] . When used as an analogical heuristic, this can inform the design of AI, provide knowledge for AI operations, and potentially even predict its outcomes [6] . However, if AI agency is accepted at face value, we run the risk of having unrealistic expectations for the capabilities of these systems. 

This paper serves as an Introduction to the Public Interest Technology (PIT) for Innovation in Global Development Special Issue, based on a workshop of the same title held in September 2023. The paper’s contribution is in proposing recommendations and practical guidance to aid in launching PIT projects. We begin by situating the Special Issue in evolving definitions of PIT in Section II , followed by an overview of the PIT ecosystem in Section III to offer a succinct account of the current state of PIT scholarship. The corresponding links to the innovation in global development context are subsequently described in Section IV , in keeping with the theme of the workshop. These links relate to an overview of adjacent fields and concepts; an illustrative example in the information technology for development (ICT4D) field; the identification of gaps in current PIT scholarship; and the preliminary questions that require attention. Next, Section V presents workshop outcomes, in the form of a general overview of the event; the identification of prevalent themes emerging from and / or are reinforced in the workshop; and a summary of Special Issue papers. The workshop is used as an interdisciplinary catalyst for the explication of more recent PIT developments. These developments are encapsulated in ten recommendations for launching PIT projects in Section VI , intended to direct PIT project managers or lead investigators prior to project launch or during the initial stages of a project. 

The provocative cover of Jeremy Weissman’s debut monograph captures well the new visibility we are all subject to. Reminiscent of the times we live in, is the idea of the “photoborg” [1] . 

December 2023 completes the fourth year of the IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society (IEEE TTS or Transactions); an interdisciplinary publication launched in January 2020. This Editorial presents an account of the first 16 issues comprising the first 4 volumes of the Transactions. It also presents the historical backdrop dating back to 2016, outlining the motivations for TTS. This paper furthermore documents how TTS volunteers have shaped the publication’s trajectory toward an internationally recognized and reputable interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary outlet. This has been achieved through interactions between authors, reviewers, associate editors, co-editors, the publications board, steering committee and editorial board-at-large, led by the co-editors-in-chief and the Vice President (VP) of Publications at the IEEE Society on the Social Implications of Technology (IEEE SSIT). SSIT is an established society that celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2022. TTS resides within IEEE SSIT with co-sponsorship from the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society and the IEEE Computer Society. It is one of three official periodicals of the IEEE SSIT, alongside the 42-year-old IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, and the long-standing IEEE SSIT Newsletter. The reader is invited to celebrate the first four years of TTS, where the Transactions’ foundational pillars and vision of the publication are shared in this Editorial, and where we invite you to join our growing community. 

The term research impact is variously defined in academic scholarship, by national and international research funding bodies, publishers, and other relevant entities, although common definitional elements exist. Concise definitions describe the term as relating to academic research that directly and or indirectly guides policymaking processes, by enabling evidence-based decision-making and or improving understanding of a given subject area or areas [1] . Underlying this and all definitions of research impact is the fundamental assumption that the outcome(s) of university research will serve the “public good” [2, p. 1368] .