Social trust is a crucial foundation for maintaining the smooth functioning and coordinated development of society, with different social structures giving rise to distinct forms of social trust. In today’s digital and intelligent era, technology-based trust has emerged as a new form of social trust. However, this form of trust is not without vulnerabilities, potentially leading to security concerns and cognitive divergences within society. Therefore, understanding the pathway for building social trust and establishing a secure, stable trust system is a key strategy for addressing the social risks associated with emerging technologies.

Changes in social trust

From the traditional close-knit society, where social trust was largely relational, to the modern society of strangers, where institutional trust became dominant, and now to the digital and intelligent society, where technology-based trust is increasingly central, the forms of social trust have evolved in step with changing social structures. Relational trust is rooted in familiarity and emotional bonds among individuals, giving it an informal character. As stable, predictable interactions with acquaintances gave way to fluid and uncertain interactions with strangers, people increasingly relied on formal, impersonal institutions and rules to sustain social life. Nevertheless, relational trust has not disappeared entirely. With digital technology now a central medium of human connection, the traditional constraints of customs and ethical norms on interpersonal relations have weakened. Technology-based trust, grounded in the safety and reliability of technology, is marked by stability, functionality, and predictability.

Technology-based trust not without vulnerabilities

The vulnerabilities of technology-based trust lie in the inherent risks of technological systems, potential abuse of power, the difficulty of aligning institutions with technology, and a fragmented understanding of society. First, technology itself may suffer from the “black box” problem, security flaws, or system malfunctions, producing harmful outcomes such as privacy breaches, rights violations, data misuse, algorithmic bias, and the spread of misinformation. Moreover, the pace of technological advancement often outstrips users’ capacity to adapt. Together, these factors complicate the building and maintenance of stable technology-based trust. Second, governments, as regulators and sometimes controllers of digital technology, wield growing power. This heightens the risk of overreach or misuse of public authority, which in turn can erode public trust in technology. At the same time, institutional development often lags behind technological innovation. Finally, while digital technology has expanded access to information, it has also intensified “echo chambers,” potentially amplifying emotional and extreme expressions that undermine interpersonal trust.

Cultivating social trust in the digital age

In response to the vulnerabilities of technology-based trust, the following pathways can help nurture social trust in the digital age.

First, technological deployment should adhere to the principles of standardization and transparency, following unified technical standards, standardized operating procedures, and ethical guidelines, with the aim of ensuring transparency in data, algorithms, decision-making processes, and oversight mechanisms. Second, institutional innovation should emphasize inclusiveness. The design and implementation of institutions must take account of the interests and needs of diverse stakeholders, respect and guide the values of various groups, and establish effective feedback mechanisms. Innovative institutions should also possess strong risk resilience and self-updating capabilities. Finally, multiple stakeholders—including governments, digital technology developers, and the public—must all participate in creating and maintaining social trust. Governments should endeavor to narrow the gap between institutional and technological development in terms of pace, objectives, and orientations, while clearly defining the boundaries of public authority to guard against its abuse and distortion. Digital technology developers should prioritize contributing to the healthy development of society and addressing the inherent flaws of technological systems. The public should not only maintain confidence in digital technology but also enhance their digital literacy.

Although technology-based trust is an important form of social trust in the digital age, relational trust and institutional trust persist. Therefore, fostering social trust requires understanding the interplay and integration of different forms of trust in social interactions and establishing a composite trust system.

Zheng Yongjun is an associate professor from the College of Humanities and Social Development at Northwest A&F University.