Block Center for Technology and Society

What's new from Block?

Machine learning and optimization can help solve a major problem with hospital-at-home care

Hospital-at-home (HaH) programs have existed since 1999 and grew significantly after COVID-era investment from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Yet adoption remains limited: more than 400 approved hospitals face steep operational hurdles. Home-based care can help older adults age-in-place, but serving patients spread across large areas creates supply chain and cost challenges. Professors Wiberg and Zhang’s approach is a machine learning and optimization framework to solve the scaling problem and hopefully increase access for rural and underserved communities.

Highlighting Student Perspectives on Technology

Perhaps no group is more affected by -- and has more opportunity to shape -- emerging technology than college students. Technology such as AI can be awe-inspiring, terrifying, underwhelming, and really annoying -- sometimes all at once. We want to hear about your experiences, your perspectives, your hopes, and your concerns.

Each month, we will post a new writing prompt related to a contemporary issue in technology and society; CMU students are invited to submit brief (< 250-word) reflections responding to the prompt.

Winning responses will be selected by a committee, which will prioritize distinctive and well-articulated perspectives that engage the prompt in a compelling and thoughtful manner. A selection of winning student responses will be published in the PRoB under the submitter's byline. One response will be selected as the “Block Center Student Perspective of the Month” and will receive a $250 prize.