A ransomware attack on Ascension, a major US hospital network, has severely disrupted operations at multiple facilities, forcing staff to switch to manual records and endangering patient safety. Nurses at Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital and an Ascension hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, reported significant challenges, including increased patient loads, delayed lab results, and safety risks without electronic health records. Ascension, which oversees 140 hospitals, is working to restore electronic systems, but the attack highlights broader vulnerabilities in healthcare cybersecurity. The Biden administration is preparing to introduce new requirements to improve hospital cybersecurity, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive defenses against such attacks.

‘It’s putting patients’ lives in danger’: Nurses say ransomware attack is stressing hospital operations CNN

Health systems have experienced a financial boost in the first quarter of 2024 due to higher patient volumes and reduced reliance on contract labor, with many large nonprofit systems reporting increased operating and net margins. However, this financial improvement comes alongside rising hospital prices, which are contributing to overall inflation in the U.S. Prices for medical care and hospital services have seen substantial increases, attributed to renegotiated contracts with insurers and the need to cover the costs of new medical advancements. Economic experts suggest that higher hospital prices will persist due to ongoing labor market disruptions and evolving healthcare needs.

Hospital margins are increasing — and so are prices publication

Apple is integrating modern AI features into new releases of iOS 18 and macOS 15, hoping that its large user base will give it a competitive advantage despite these features being less advanced than those of competitors. Additionally, Sonos has introduced long-awaited headphones, the company Humane is seeking a buyer, and Apple has appointed a new diversity chief.

Apple Bets That Its Giant User Base Will Help It Win in AI publication

Eric Schmidt argues that the United States needs a national compute strategy akin to the Apollo program to secure its position in the global race for artificial intelligence. As nations worldwide escalate investments in AI and advanced computing, Schmidt emphasizes the importance of government-led infrastructure, like the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR), to support AI research and development. He contends that only through a combination of dedicated federal AI supercomputers and strategic talent acquisition, including relaxed immigration policies for PhD holders, can America maintain its lead in innovation and national security. Schmidt calls for immediate foundational investments to sustain long-term competitive advantages in AI technology.

Eric Schmidt: Why America needs an Apollo program for the age of AI MIT Technology Review