Cory Doctorow Critiques Technology’s Evolving Landscape at ABA Techshow 2025
April 3, 2025, 3:54 pm CDT
Cory Doctorow, renowned science fiction author and tech advocate, addressed the audience at ABA Techshow 2025. (Photo by Danielle Braff/ABA Journal)
During the ABA Techshow 2025, held at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Cory Doctorow delivered a powerful keynote address that examined the complexities of modern technology and its implications. With a keen focus on the problems associated with profit-driven tech companies, Doctorow urged the audience to reconsider the trajectory of digital platforms.
Tech’s Promise vs. Its Pitfalls
Doctorow, who is not opposed to technology per se, highlighted the unintended consequences that often accompany its rapid advancement. He emphasized the need for a reimagined internet: one resilient enough to withstand the challenges of climate change, authoritarianism, and other contemporary issues.
A striking illustration of technology’s failures is found in nursing job applications. Doctorow noted that nurses rely on a limited number of apps to book shifts, and these apps exploit their situational desperate circumstances by purchasing their financial data. This information is used to set the lowest possible pay rates, fully exploiting the vulnerability of healthcare workers.
He termed this phenomenon ‘enshitification’—the deterioration of tech platforms that initially serve users well but ultimately shift focus to maximizing profits.
The Shift in User Experience
Reflecting on the early days of Google, Doctorow recalled how users were drawn in by a groundbreaking search experience. Initially, Google’s extensive investment in user satisfaction delivered phenomenal results. However, as the platform grew, it began to prioritize advertising revenue over user experience, subsequently compromising the accuracy of search results and driving users to repeat searches for the answers they need.
“We’re all still using Google,” Doctorow remarked, encapsulating the reliance users have developed on the platform despite its shortcomings.
The Future of Tech Employment
In his concluding remarks, Doctorow warned attendees of the uncertainties facing tech workers today. He articulated how the tech labor market, once characterized by a scarcity of skilled individuals, is experiencing saturation. This shift has led to reduced job security and declining salaries, highlighting a broader crisis within the industry.
He stated, “Solidarity is your only path out,” emphasizing the need for unity among professionals in the tech sector to navigate these challenging times.
As Doctorow concluded his impactful presentation, the audience responded with applause, signaling the resonant importance of his message about the future of technology and its workers.
