As part of Intel’s Pandemic Response Technology Initiative (PRTI), Intel partnered with industry leaders to respond to the massive challenges schools faced as they pivoted to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. To enable e-learning, the Intel team enlisted the support of CDW to help deploy over 15,000 devices to low-income school districts in primarily urban and rural areas. With different schools grappling with different issues, Intel and CDW enlisted local organizations to tailor the support where and how it was needed the most. In Chicago, this included teaming up with Chance the Rapper, his charity, SocialWorks, and Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Working together, the team established a remote learning pod for students with diverse learning needs and donated an additional 500 laptops to 11 schools within CPS to make education enrichment and STEM programs possible during the pandemic.
Aligned with Intel’s RISE 2030 goals, Intel has transitioned its PRTI process and the technical expertise of employee volunteers to the Intel RISE Technology Initiative (IRTI). The IRTI will continue to review and fund projects related to healthcare, education and the economy with new dedicated workstreams for social equity and human rights, accessibility, and climate action.