From the organization’s earliest days, IEEE members have aspired to the Institute’s mission: advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. With 344 sections and more than 4,000 chapters worldwide, IEEE facilitates the active participation of thousands of members and volunteers to improve the lives of others through direct participation.
Even when our members aren’t on the ground contributing to humanitarian technology activities, they can be found conducting research and sharing knowledge that promotes improved quality of life all over the world. From agriculture and healthcare to affordable energy and clean technology, IEEE members are making a difference and delivering technical solutions to address the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate change.
A major focus throughout 2023 was to work with all members and volunteers around the world—particularly our students, young professionals and underrepresented communities—to make IEEE a more successful and resilient global technical organization and for it to be universally recognized as a force for change. It was equally important that technologists at the local level view IEEE membership as a vehicle for professional growth and are aware of the tremendous benefits that come with membership. These offerings include unparalleled networking opportunities at more than 2,000 international conferences—both in person and virtual—as well as access to the finest technical literature, resources for continuing education and innovative collaboration opportunities with colleagues worldwide. And in 2023, our global membership continued to grow, reaching an all-time high of 460,000 members in more than 190 countries.
As the world’s largest organization of technical professionals, IEEE has both the opportunity and the responsibility to assist in organizing the response of engineers, scientists and technical professionals around the world to address the causes, mitigate the impact and adapt to climate change. IEEE recognizes this global crisis and is committed to helping alleviate the effects of climate change through pragmatic, accessible technical solutions for sustainability, and providing engineers, technologists and policy makers with a neutral space for discussion and action.
IEEE has significant ongoing, relevant efforts and expertise being brought to bear and equips our members with the ability to speak to both technologists and a general audience on these issues. IEEE has a climate change website, climate-change.ieee.org, to highlight technology news and resources focused on climate change. It includes the IEEE Xplore® Climate Change Collection, a repository of highly cited scholarly publications, conference proceedings and other materials to help foster the exchange of technical knowledge.
IEEE has also been contributing to discussions at international events, such as the Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, highlighting the key role technologists play in shaping the global energy landscape, as well as building beneficial relationships with partners such as the International Telecommunication Union, UNESCO, World Green Energy Organization and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations.
IEEE is also driving important dialogue around the future of technology. IEEE has been developing a wide range of standards and methods to address safety, biases, transparency, privacy and corporate governance to ensure scientific integrity and the safety of the public. This includes creating standards that support the growing need for digital products and services designed with the best interest of children in mind, as well as artificial intelligence ethics and governance and sustainable design.
IEEE strives to bridge the gap between challenges and technological solutions. Through our vast network and dedicated members and volunteers, the organization not only envisions a better future but actively works towards it.
Building bridges between individuals and communities yields tremendous benefits. Through 2023, we saw how collaboration can help push our industries and professions to new frontiers, which creates innovative platforms to address difficult challenges. By strengthening these connections, we ultimately accelerate the transfer of knowledge. Thanks to our global members, volunteers and staff, IEEE continues to be a powerful force for change, embodying its mission of advancing technology for the benefit of humanity and driving global innovation through inspired collaboration.
Sincerely,
Saifur Rahman
2023 IEEE President and CEO
Sophia Muirhead
IEEE Executive Director and COO
IEEE and its members inspire a global community through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities.
We’re a community of 460,000+ technology and engineering professionals united by a common desire to continuously learn, interact, collaborate, and innovate.
