Search engines, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI) systems are becoming as vital to daily life as bridges and water supplies. These digital systems, much like traditional critical infrastructure such as the water system in Flint, Michigan, or the electrical grid in Puerto Rico, are essential to public well-being. When these systems fail—like when lead contamination poisoned Flint’s water in 2014 or when Puerto Rico faced a widespread blackout in 2024—the public expects swift solutions and reduced risk. Just as physical infrastructure is designed to be reliable and safe, digital systems must be treated with the same level of care and responsibility. Modern critical infrastructure includes not only physical systems like roads and power grids but also digital platforms that people rely on daily. Search engines provide information, social media facilitates communication, and AI helps with decision-making. These systems are crucial for functioning in today’s society, yet they are often designed with commercial interests in mind rather than public safety or well-being. As a result, users may encounter misleading content, biased recommendations, or a sense of helplessness in managing their digital experiences. When digital infrastructure is not designed with public safety in mind, it can expose people to various risks. These can range from immediate issues, such as internet outages or power failures, to more subtle dangers like exposure to harmful misinformation or predatory data practices. For example, social media platforms can spread content that promotes dangerous health practices or body image issues, while data collection by smart devices may allow companies to exploit personal information for profit. Improving digital critical infrastructure requires a shift in how these systems are designed, regulated, and used. Incorporating safeguards—like privacy protections, user control over data, and transparency about how personal information is handled—can reduce risks and empower users. The book Better Tech: Putting People First in Cyberspace outlines strategies for achieving this balance, showing how future technologies, like self-driving cars, can be designed with public safety and environmental responsibility in mind. By prioritizing people over profit, society can ensure that digital systems support, rather than endanger, the well-being of the public.