When Computing Becomes Societal Infrastructure: What Should ACM Become? – Communications of the ACM

Computing is no longer just a technical discipline. As AI reshapes both virtual and physical worlds, it functions as the backbone of our daily lives. Shaoshan Liu argues that the Association for Computing Machinery must adapt to this shift. While the organization has historically focused on academic publishing, its role needs to expand to meet the demands of the current era.

Societal infrastructure relies on intelligent systems to organize work, manage institutions, and drive the economy. These advancements create significant consequences like job displacement and unequal access to technology. Because of these challenges, policymakers and the public require a trusted source of expertise to navigate the AI transition without relying on hype or misunderstanding. The association is uniquely positioned to provide this guidance.

Instead of remaining a repository for research papers, the association should act as a bridge between technical experts and the broader needs of society. By establishing clear professional norms and offering independent policy advice, it can ensure that computing benefits the public interest. This evolution moves the organization beyond recording progress toward actively shaping the standards of the future.

Priorities for this transition include becoming a global voice for independent judgment, building a technical think tank for AI policy, and creating professional development networks that span multiple industries. By organizing its considerable brainpower around this mission, the association can help professionals expand their influence and ensure that computing advances our collective well-being.