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Institute for Emerging Issues

IEI Staff Blog

Updates and viewpoints from IEI staff about important issues impacting our state.

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December 18, 2025

Wrapping Up 2025 with Digital Champions

More than 160 digital opportunity champions from 40 counties gathered in Tarboro on Dec. 4 for the December 2025 NC Digital Opportunity Gathering.
A man and a woman talking in front of a large digital sign that says "NC Digital Opportunity Gatheirng'

May 29, 2025

A Family Reunion: Spring 2025 NC Digital Opportunity Gathering Recap

More than 220 people from across the state came to IEI on April 28 for the 2025 NC Digital Opportunity Gathering, the first of three upcoming collaborative events between IEI and the N.C. Department of Information Technology.

Graphic including a photo of a white man wearing a white button up shirt. To the right of the photo is a blue box with the text "Staff Blog. Meeting our Energy Needs with Disruptive Technologies. Pat Cronin, Assistant Director."

January 21, 2025

Meeting our Energy Needs with Disruptive Technologies

IEI Assistant Director Pat Cronin reflects on his time at the RTI Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy roadshow and the connections made between disruptive technologies and the energy needs facing North Carolina.

Meet the Authors

Patrick Cronin

Assistant Director

919-513-3540
Jess Epsten

Digital Opportunities Initiative Lead

919-513-0805
Kylie Foley

Digital Opportunities Initiative Specialist

919-515-3542