Over the summer, we changed our name from Pitt Information Technology to Pitt Digital, marking a pivotal evolution in our role at the University. This change reflects the ongoing transformation that began with our CIO's arrival in 2019 and will continue as we anticipate future technological innovations. While we’re really excited about our new horizons, you might be wondering what it all really means. So, let’s break down some of the biggest reasons why Pitt Digital is more than a name change — and we promise to keep the buzzwords to a minimum.
We Take the Plan for Pitt Seriously
If you didn’t know, the Plan for Pitt is our University blueprint describing, “who we are, what we value, where we’re going, how we’re getting there and why it’s possible.” This process, which began in 2019 and was reimagined in 2023 under Chancellor Gable’s leadership, is only the second of its kind here at Pitt. It gave us an opportunity to think deeply about the work we do, and how we’d like to do it better.
So, Pitt Digital is a direct response to supporting the new Plan for Pitt. Our goal is to further the University’s mission to show what’s possible at Pitt. To us, that means making sure all students, faculty, and staff have the tools they need to do their best work. In a world that’s spending more and more time integrated with technology, this is no small feat, but Pitt Digital is up for the challenge.
We Offer So Much More Than Hardware and Software
Our key services — software, network infrastructure, and tech support — aren’t going away, but we’ve been responsible for more than just traditional IT services for quite some time. Take the launch of the University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences and Sports Analytics Cloud Innovation Center last May. Pitt Digital spearheaded its creation, and we’re committed to its continued success.
The Cloud Innovation Center (or CIC for short) is a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services that provides Pitt students with internship opportunities focused on finding tech solutions that solve real problems, like their work this summer making it easier than ever to track Pitt Diving’s performance. Something that used to be done painstakingly by hand is now being digitized with the help of smart technology and even smarter student interns.
We’re Here for Students, Faculty, and Staff
When we talk about shaping the University’s digital future, we’re thinking about how Pitt Digital can better empower the Pitt community — that includes you, the wonderful Pitt person reading this! So much of the work being done by Pitt students, faculty, and staff happens in digital spaces. At Pitt Digital, we’re constantly working on how to improve these experiences to meet the needs of all the people who make up Pitt. If something still needs work, we have engagement leaders and customer success managers serving every department ready and willing to find a better solution.
We Know Generative AI Is a Big, Big, Big Deal
It can’t be overstated how important it is to stay at the forefront of GenAI, which is causing massive changes to the technology landscape at unbelievable speed. The impacts are everywhere. Students are using it to meet employer expectations, cybercriminals are using it to make threats like phishing attacks more elaborate and harder to detect, and researchers are using it to improve health outcomes for all of us — not to mention your peers and colleagues might be using it to write their emails.
Pitt Digital isn’t here to tell you what to think about GenAI, but it’s our responsibility to provide safe access to tools and know-how that can help students, faculty, and staff keep pace with everything this technology has to offer.
New to GenAI? Here's what you need to know to thrive in the AI era.
We’re Preparing for Tomorrow
The biggest change we’re making at Pitt Digital is our commitment to looking ahead. At the rate technology is advancing, we know the only way forward is by making smart choices today that benefit the entire Pitt community.
Whether we’re safeguarding sensitive data from misuse in GenAI, investing in student success through our new Technology Lab at Hillman Library, or making everyday improvements to the tech you know and love, Pitt Digital is transforming for you. We can’t predict the future, but we can prepare for what’s possible — and those possibilities start right here at Pitt.
- Pitt Digital
