Digital services must be treated as critical infrastructure for public safety
The author argues that essential digital platforms like search engines and AI should be built, regulated and managed like traditional critical infrastructure.
The article compares recent failures in Flint's water supply and Puerto Rico's power grid to shortcomings in digital platforms, labeling the latter as critical infrastructure. It stresses that citizens expect reliability, safety and public-interest focus from such systems, yet often face misinformation, biased search results and unsafe AI recommendations. The author, with experience leading the San Diego Supercomputer Center and co-founding the Research Data Alliance, proposes that redesign, regulation and greater transparency can align digital services with public welfare.
Examples include revealing algorithmic priorities in search engines and granting users more control over social-media feeds. The piece also notes future challenges, such as ensuring safe autonomous-vehicle networks, and urges immediate human-centered planning to secure digital infrastructure for the future.
Why it matters
Digital platforms affect daily life; treating them as critical infrastructure can improve safety, fairness and trust.
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