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Better Tech - by Francine Berman (Paperback) - 1 of 1

Better Tech - by Francine Berman (Paperback)

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Highlights

  • How to fix the tech we depend on to empower, rather than endanger, the people who use it.
  • About the Author: Francine Berman is Director of Public Interest Technology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Faculty Associate at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.
  • 266 Pages
  • Political Science, Public Policy

Description



Book Synopsis



How to fix the tech we depend on to empower, rather than endanger, the people who use it.

From an award-winning pioneer in data infrastructure and leader in tech policy, lauded by the Library of Congress, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and Newsweek.

Technology powers our world. But we often give it the upper hand, treating tech solutions as right by default and accepting online risk as the price we have to pay. Rampant security breaches, unwanted surveillance, predators, and misinformation are just a normal part of cyberspace. But what if tech was designed and managed to empower and protect the people who use it? In Better Tech, Francine Berman explores this question and argues that for society to advance and humanity to thrive, technology must put people first.

Berman focuses on the riskiest and most essential technologies--social media, AI chatbots, search engines--all of which serve as digital critical infrastructure. She argues that the risk-mitigation strategies for critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, food systems, and the electrical grid can also be used for cyberspace because we should be able to expect that our technology is similarly safe, dependable, and trustworthy. Better Tech goes beyond identifying the problems of technology and provides an actionable playbook of responsible design, development, use, and regulatory strategies that can be used by everyone from policymakers to students and general readers to reduce technology's risks and advance the public good.



Review Quotes




ENDORSEMENTS

"Thank goodness for this book, and for Francine Berman's rare mix of clarity and expertise. Better Tech is an essential, commonsense guide to making emerging technologies answerable to the public interest."
--Jill Lepore, author of The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State

"This novel reframing of digital technology as a public good offers a practical road map to how we can make technology work for us. A must-read for policymakers, local leaders, and anyone who wants to do something but doesn't know where to start."
--Bruce Schneier, coauthor of Rewiring Democracy



About the Author



Francine Berman is Director of Public Interest Technology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Faculty Associate at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.
Dimensions (Overall): 8.9 Inches (H) x 5.9 Inches (W) x .8 Inches (D)
Weight: .7 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 266
Genre: Political Science
Sub-Genre: Public Policy
Publisher: MIT Press
Theme: Science & Technology Policy
Format: Paperback
Author: Francine Berman
Language: English
Street Date: September 15, 2026
TCIN: 1008682043
UPC: 9780262054881
Item Number (DPCI): 247-21-7004
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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17 September, 2026

The reminder that we should make technology work for us, not on us

In a world that feels like technology is developing at the speed of light, “Better Tech” is exactly the reminder we all need that the power is in our hands to shape how it impacts our everyday lives. Berman’s explanation of the current digital landscape puts into perspective how our relationship with technology needs to fundamentally shift as it has gone from a helpful tool to a necessity for daily life. If you have felt like you are on the sidelines while tech is “happening” to us, then this is a must-read. For technologists, Berman shows the importance of understanding the ecosystem outside of code design, development, and deployment. For non-technologists, Berman shows the many levers, such as denying cookies, that can be pulled to inform the tech that gets delivered to us. This book also provides helpful ways to think about how you interact with technology and feel better equipped to exercise your digital rights. Berman approaches the topic of AI head-on, and her walkthrough of thinking about AI governance, similar to how we have developed rights and regulations for our animal friends, helped shape my opinions on the topic. I loved how approachable each topic in the book was and have already found myself dropping what I learned into conversations with friends. I will be returning to this read whenever I need to reignite my fire to advocate for stronger digital rights, protect my online presence, and educate others on how to do the same.
Colette
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