Do People Hate Tech Now? - DTNS Live

The host and guest, Ayaz Akhtar of PCMag and CNET, confront a central paradox in modern tech culture: despite widespread claims that people hate technology, the real issue isn't hostility toward tech itself—but a profound erosion of trust in the institutions behind it. Drawing on decades of experience in tech journalism, Akhtar argues that the shift from wonder to suspicion began not with any single company’s malice, but with a cultural pivot triggered by events like Cambridge Analytica and Edward Snowden’s revelations. What was once a world where tech was seen as a frontier of possibility—where people eagerly consumed podcasts like Buzz Out Loud—has become one where every innovation is met with 'guilty until proven innocent' skepticism. The guest reveals that the real problem isn’t that tech is worse now, but that we’ve become hyper-aware of its power, complexity, and opacity. Algorithms, data collection, and corporate behavior are now scrutinized not for their function, but for their intent. Yet, paradoxically, the most effective tech experiences—like targeted ads that actually help users discover useful products—are often the ones people don’t notice, while the failures dominate the narrative. The episode ends with a hopeful call: to rebuild trust not by demonizing tech, but by creating more transparent, balanced, and human-centered stories that reflect both the promise and the pitfalls of innovation.