Computer scientist Francine Berman is calling for a fundamental shift in how society views and manages digital technology. In her new book, Better Tech: Putting People First in Cyberspace, published by MIT Press, the University of Massachusetts Amherst scholar contends that the benefits of technological progress must take precedence over unchecked commercial growth. Her work serves as a timely manifesto for prioritizing public welfare in the digital era.
Berman draws parallels between digital platforms and traditional critical infrastructure like power grids and transportation networks. While safeguards for these older systems are far from perfect, she notes that society invests heavily in oversight and regulation because these structures underpin daily life. Today, digital technologies play an equally central role, yet they are often approached with suspicion rather than assumed to be trustworthy and well-governed. Berman argues that treating online systems as essential infrastructure would encourage developers to prioritize safety, reliability, and public benefit from the outset, establishing clearer standards for how these tools are created and utilized.
Search engines and social media platforms have increasingly crossed the threshold into critical infrastructure, Berman suggests. As information moved online, search engines became the primary gateway for knowledge and decision-making, much like food sustains the body. However, she points out that current information systems are largely driven by business incentives rather than public good. Algorithms frequently prioritize advertiser interests, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
The same dynamics apply to social media, which has become the primary venue for political debate, public announcements, and cultural exchange. Despite their importance, these platforms often lack the protective measures expected of vital public infrastructure. Users are frequently exposed to cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and algorithmic environments that promote endless scrolling and information cocoons. Berman emphasizes that these outcomes are not inevitable; they are the result of design choices aimed at maximizing engagement. She advocates for systems that can achieve profitability while also protecting users.
Regarding corporate accountability, Berman observes a mixed landscape. She highlights recent financial settlements involving Meta over child safety concerns but stresses that the true measure of progress lies in product redesign. Rather than focusing solely on fines, she believes the critical question is whether legal pressures will lead to the removal of addictive features and greater user control. While current changes are incremental, she views the growing trend of holding tech companies responsible as a positive step toward better future products.
Berman also addresses the nuanced discussion surrounding artificial intelligence, urging a distinction between the technology itself and the products built upon it. Referencing the framework established by Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig in their 2021 textbook Artificial Intelligence, she notes that AI research spans various categories based on whether systems aim to think or act, and whether they emulate humans or rational agents. The term
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