A Force for Good in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The Block Center for Technology and Society at Carnegie Mellon University was established to examine the societal consequences of technological change and to create meaningful plans of action.
Artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, and advanced manufacturing promise profound impacts across society. While many of these impacts will benefit people, there exists the possibility that many in the labor market will be displaced, and that technology may fundamentally change how people engage with and contribute to their world.
The Block Center will focus on how emerging technologies will alter the future of work, how AI and analytics can be harnessed for social good, and how innovation in these spaces can be more inclusive and generate targeted, relevant solutions that reduce inequality and improve quality of life.
Mission
Addressing technological disruption from the perspective of economics, organizations, and public policy, the Block Center's projects will seek to ensure that the benefits of technological change are widely shared, opening new paths to prosperity for all.
Mind + Machine
Dean Ramayya Krishnan on the potential of artificial intelligence to reshape society.
AI and the Future of Work
Machine learning pioneer Tom Mitchell on the likelihood that artificial intelligence will eliminate jobs.
National Academy of Science Report
Read the 2017 U.S. National Academy report, authored by Tom Mitchell - interim dean of the School of Computer Science, on Information Technology and the Future of Work and his paper on Economic Consequences of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.Focus Areas
The Future of Work
How will technology change the nature of work? What types of jobs will no longer be done by humans? Who is at risk of being left behind?
Artificial Intelligence & Analytics For Good
How can artificial intelligence and analytics increase justice and reduce inequality? Can we design algorithms which are transparent and fair? How do we design machines that are worthy of our trust?
Seeding Societal Futures
How can technology be used to reskill displaced workers? What new work opportunities will technology create? What solutions can we create to alleviate human suffering?
Keith Block: Co-CEO Salesforce
The Block Center was launched thanks to the generosity of Carnegie Mellon University alumnus Keith Block and his wife, Suzanne Kelley. Block is the co-Chief Executive Officer of cloud computing giant Salesforce.com. Salesforce was recently ranked #1 on Fortune's Future 50.
Does Technology Kill Jobs?
- Prof. Lee Branstetter
Using AI in Education to Reduce Inequality
- Prof. Amy Ogan
Ethics and Trust in an Automated World
- Prof. David Danks
Recent & Upcoming Events
- May 1 Entrepreneur-in-Residence Leah Lizarondo participates in the Responsible Leaders Summit at the United Nations
- Apr 29 Professor Lee Branstetter briefs the Congressional Robotics Caucus on "Preparing the Workforce for Automation"
- Apr 29 Dean Ramayya Krishnan moderates the Manufacturing Futures Forum
- Feb 20 A Dedication to Shared Prosperity
- Feb 19 - Feb 20 Professor Anjali Mazumdar co-hosts Code 8.7 Conference on Using Computational Science and AI to Combat Modern Slavery
In The News
- Carnegie Mellon University - The Balance of AI, Ethics and the Military
- The Verge - Why hospitals shouldn’t use telepresence robots to deliver devastating news
- United Nations Web TV - Code 8.7: Using Computational Research and Artificial Intelligence to End Modern Slavery
- Popular Science - Here’s what you need to know about Trump’s ‘American AI Initiative’
- Gulf Times - Ethics should be integral to AI development: CMU professor
- Salesforce - At Carnegie Mellon, Salesforce co-CEO Keith Block Discusses Radical Shifts in Technology and the Trust Crisis
Call For Proposals
The Block Center is issuing a call for research proposals from Carnegie Mellon University faculty members. Please see the Call For Proposals page for details.Deadline: April 1, 2019.