At a Crossroads: Why Trust in Technology, Media, and Institutions Is Crumbling
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about trust or rather, how fragile it feels in today’s world. Trust in institutions, media, and even brands seems to be at a critical crossroads. And when I look closer, two major forces stand out: the pervasive role of technology and society’s relentless obsession with speed.
Technology Is No Longer Just a Tool
Not long ago, technology was just that: a tool.
It helped us write faster, calculate quicker, and communicate better. We were still in charge.
But today, that relationship has flipped.
Algorithms now decide:
What news we see
Which videos show up in our feed
What movies Netflix recommends
Who trends on Twitter (or X)
Instead of technology supporting human judgment, it’s increasingly replacing it.
We trust machines to filter reality for us.
And while that feels convenient, it raises a big question:
If algorithms shape our choices, are we still choosing at all?
This shift quietly transfers trust from people and institutions to opaque systems we barely understand.
Algorithmic Trust vs Human Judgment
Platforms like Netflix and Twitter are perfect examples.
We no longer rely on:
Editors
Experts
Friends
Critics
We rely on code.
Algorithms curate what we watch, read, and engage with—based on patterns, not principles.
The upside?
Personalized, relevant, addictive experiences.
The downside?
Echo chambers. Filter bubbles. Narrow worldviews.
When machines decide what deserves our attention, we risk losing:
Diversity of thought
Context
Critical thinking
Over time, this erodes trust in human expertise and shared truth. We stop questioning and start consuming.
Personalization: Helpful Until It Isn’t
Personalization feels good.
It makes content feel tailored. Relevant. Effortless.
But it comes with a hidden cost.
When algorithms only show us what aligns with our preferences, we’re shielded from ideas that challenge us. Our reality becomes fragmented.
Different people. Different feeds. Different truths.
And without shared experiences or perspectives, trust across society weakens.
We’re not just divided by opinions, we're divided by the information we’re exposed to.
The Obsession with Speed: Faster Decisions, Weaker Trust
Our obsession with speed only worsens this crisis. We want immediate results, instant gratification, and fast decisions. Personally, I notice this in professional contexts too. I sometimes hire freelancers who are online right now, prioritizing availability over thorough evaluation. Speed can be convenient, but it often bypasses careful judgment, weakening the very foundations of trust.
The Feedback Loop of Trust and Technology
The more we rely on algorithms, the more we reinforce their authority. Engaging with machine-curated content increases our dependency, creating a feedback loop that can amplify biases and reduce trust in human-mediated processes. Without conscious effort, we risk letting technology define our perceptions more than our own judgment does.
Recalibrating Trust in the Digital Age
So, how do we restore trust? It starts with recognizing the limits of technology and valuing human expertise. We need to slow down decisions when possible, foster transparency in algorithmic systems, and engage critically with the content we consume. Organizations and individuals alike must balance efficiency with human judgment to navigate this trust crossroads effectively.
Final Thoughts
Technology and speed aren’t inherently bad; they shape how we live and work. But if we’re not careful, they can erode the trust that holds our society, relationships, and institutions together. Rebuilding trust requires reflection, awareness, and a renewed emphasis on human judgment in a world increasingly dominated by algorithms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What erodes trust and credibility?
Trust and credibility weaken when transparency is missing, information is manipulated, or systems prioritize speed and convenience over accuracy. Misuse of data, echo chambers, and lack of accountability all make individuals and institutions harder to trust.
Q2. What is the biggest problem with technology today?
One of the biggest problems is overreliance on automated systems and algorithms that shape decisions without human oversight. This can lead to biased outcomes, loss of critical thinking, misinformation, and a disconnect between technology and ethical accountability.
Q3. What is the biggest threat of technology?
The biggest threat is technology replacing human judgment, spreading misinformation, and creating dependence on opaque systems. Without careful oversight, algorithms can reinforce biases, fragment society, and undermine confidence in institutions and shared truths.
Q4. How does technology influence our trust in information?
Algorithms and automated systems increasingly filter news, recommendations, and social feeds, shaping perceptions. This reliance on machines can reduce human judgment, create bias, and make it harder to trust what we see online.
About the Author:
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.