Essential digital technologies are critical infrastructure – they are not always built and managed that way
Search engines, social media and AI models can be made as safe and reliable as bridges and water supplies.
Water systems in Flint, Michigan, the electrical grid in Puerto Rico and search engines share one common factor: they are all classified as critical infrastructure. These systems, vital to everyday life, are expected to function reliably, mitigate risks and promote public well-being. When they fail, as was the case with lead contamination in Flint’s water supply and the complete power outage on Puerto Rico’s grid, the public expects the issues to be swiftly addressed and risks reduced.
Critical infrastructure now encompasses food and water systems, roads and bridges, as well as financial and health systems. Digital technology, including search engines, social media and AI services, is an integral part of this infrastructure. Today's digital tools are relied upon for information, public announcements, and decision-making, all of which are crucial for functioning in contemporary society.
However, when search engines manipulate search results, social media is inundated with misinformation, and AI-driven services provide unsafe recommendations or "digital slop," many people perceive it as the inevitable consequence of engaging with commercial entities, leading to a sense of digital resignation. As a former director of the San Diego Supercomputer Center and co-founder of the Research Data Alliance, one can argue that digital infrastructure can be designed, built and managed for the benefit of human well-being, just as other critical infrastructure is.
To achieve this, society must adjust its expectations and actions regarding digital critical infrastructure. Rather than accepting the risks and limitations, users and regulators should work together to create and regulate these systems with the same level of care as traditional infrastructure. The strategies outlined in "Better Tech: Putting People First in Cyberspace" offer a framework for enhancing digital critical infrastructure to better serve the public and protect individuals from potential risks.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
