Engineering’s Role in Building a Better World

Innovation, expertise, and efficiency often take center stage in the engineering world. Yet engineering’s impact lies not only in technical advancement but also in its ability to serve the greater good. This foundational principle is behind IEEE’s public imperative initiatives which apply our efforts and expertise to support our mission to advance technology for humanity with a direct benefit to society.

Serving society

Public imperative activities and initiatives serve society by promoting understanding, impact for humans and our environment, and responsible use of science and technology. These initiatives encompass a wide range of efforts, including STEM outreach, humanitarian technology deployments, public education on emerging technologies, and sustainability. Unlike many efforts advancing technology, these initiatives are not designed with financial opportunity in mind. Instead, they fulfill IEEE’s designation as a 501(c)(3) public charity engaged in scientific and educational activities for the benefit of the engineering community and the public.

In my March column, I described my vision for One IEEE, which is aimed at empowering IEEE’s diverse units to work together in ways that magnify their individual and collective impact. Within the framework of One IEEE, public imperative activities are not peripheral; they are central to unifying the organization and amplifying our global relevance. Across IEEE’s varied regions, societies, and technical communities, these activities align efforts around a shared mission. They provide our members from different disciplines and geographies the opportunity to collaborate on projects that transcend boundaries, fostering interdisciplinary innovation and global stewardship.

Such activities also offer members opportunities to apply their technical expertise in service of societal needs. Whether finding innovative solutions to connect the unconnected or developing open-source educational tools for students, we are solving real-world problems. The initiatives transform abstract technical knowledge into actionable solutions, reinforcing the idea that technology is not just about building systems—it’s about building futures.

For our young professionals and students, these activities offer hands-on experiences that connect technical skills with real-world applications, inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in engineering with purpose and passion. These activities also create mentorship opportunities, leadership pathways, and a sense of belonging within the wider IEEE community.

Principled tech leader

In an age when technology influences practically every aspect of life—from health care and energy to communication and transportation—IEEE must, as a leading technical authority, also serve as a socially responsible leader. Public imperative activities include IEEE’s commitment to ethical development, university and pre-university education, and accessible innovation. They help bridge the gap between technical communities and the public, working to ensure that engineering solutions are accessible, equitable, and aligned with societal values.

From a strategic standpoint, public imperatives also support IEEE’s long-term sustainability. The organization is redesigning its budget process to emphasize aligning financial resources with mission-driven goals. One of the guiding principles is to publicize IEEE’s public charity status and invest accordingly.

That means promoting our public imperatives in funding decisions, integrating them into operational planning, and measuring their outcomes with engineering rigor. By treating these activities as core infrastructure, IEEE ensures that its resources are deployed in ways that maximize public benefit and organizational impact.

Public imperatives are vital to the success of One IEEE. They embody the organization’s mission, unify its global membership, and demonstrate the societal relevance of engineering and technology. They offer our members the opportunity to apply their skills in meaningful ways, contribute to public good, and shape the future of technology with integrity.

Through our public imperative activities, IEEE is a force for innovation and a driver of meaningful impact.

This article appears in the December 2025 print issue as “Engineering With Purpose.”