Credibility and Computing Technology Credibility and Computing Technology

But like many aspects of our human society, computers seem to be facing a credibility crisis. Due in part to the popularization of the Internet, the cultural myth of the highly credible computer may soon be history. Although healthy skepticism about computers can be a good thing, if the pendulum swings too far in this direction, computers—especially with respect to Web-based content—could be viewed as among the least credible information sources, rivaling TV infomercials and supermarket tabloids for such dubious distinction. What is credibility? What makes computers credible? And what can we, as computer professionals, do to enhance the credibility of the products we design, build, and promote? We don’t fully answer these questions here, but we define key terms, summarize knowledge on computer credibility, and suggest frameworks for understanding issues in this domain.