Block Center for Technology and Society

Leveraging innovation and public policy for social good.

Rapid advances in technology continue to reshape our society, economy, and workplaces. These changes bring both opportunities and challenges for the workforce.

We are committed to understanding and addressing the human impact of these shifts—ensuring that innovation supports equity, inclusion, and the well-being of people. Our work centers on building policies and practices that guide technological change toward serving the common good.

Research

Fund and support research that aligns with our focus areas: how emerging technologies will alter the future of work and how AI and analytics can be harnessed responsibly for social good.

Block Center Research

Connect

Connect CMU researchers with public, private, and non-profit partners to address critical societal challenges through projects, policy discussions, and education opportunities.

Block Center Seed Funds

Deploy

Deploy research findings and expertise for real-world impact in our Pittsburgh community and beyond.

Block Center Policy Impact

Focus Areas

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an Executive Order on Commonwealth use of generative artificial intelligence during a visit on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, to the Tepper Building.

Responsible AI

The Responsible AI focus area is dedicated to ensuring AI technologies serve society equitably.

The Block Center's Responsible AI focus area brings together researchers across disciplines to shape the future of AI in service of society. Responsible AI focuses on translating research into policy impact, collaborating with communities, expanding hands-on learning, and building cross-sector partnerships. The focus area supports a growing ecosystem of research, training, and public engagement.

Explore Responsible AI

Two workers working together and looking at layouts at a construction site for a CMU building.

The Future of Work

The Future of Work focus area explores how emerging technologies impact workers, industries, and economic opportunities.

The Future of Work focus area explores how emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and automation are reshaping jobs, skills, and economic opportunity. It aims to develop and amplify data-driven, research-backed policy solutions to ensure innovation supports workers and communities.

Explore the Future of Work

Block by Block: Peter Zhang

At a recent lunch talk hosted by the Block Center for Technology and Society, Dr. Peter Zhang presented his work on nocturnal energy systems and data-driven energy optimization. Dr. Zhang’s work is cosponsored by Block and the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation.