Rony Abovitz calls for human-centric computing systems
New call for computing systems to embrace neohumanism, prioritizing data sovereignty and individual liberty over computational autocracy.
(Photo via Fast Company)
A recent opinion piece published by Fast Company on Nov. 6, 2026, advocates for a shift in how computing systems are designed, calling for a neohumanist approach that prioritizes liberal democracy and personal liberty.
Author Rony Abovitz argues that current technological trends risk leading to a form of computational autocracy. He suggests that the future of computing should instead focus on data sovereignty, trust, and the protection of individual creativity against the influence of a small number of powerful entities.
The article draws on philosophical discussions between Abovitz and Julio Frenk, the chancellor of UCLA and former president of the University of Miami. It also references the 1967 poem All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace by Richard Brautigan to illustrate the potential for a future where technology supports human well-being.
Abovitz contrasts this vision of a Golden Age with the risk of individuals becoming subordinate to machines. The piece also notes that the early-rate application deadline for the Fast Company World Changing Ideas Awards is Nov. 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT.