Digital Alienation: From Everyday Internet to Artificial Intelligence 1
Digital Alienation: From Everyday Internet to Artificial Intelligence 1
Tuesday, 8 July 2025: 09:00-10:45
Location: SJES009 (Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences (JES))
RC36 Alienation Theory and Research (host committee) Language: English
The emergence of "digital alienation" as a specialized field in sociology has introduced new concepts and insights into scholarly discourse, yet assessing its transformative impact on traditional alienation theory remains complex due to limited studies on evolving dynamics within digital networks. This session welcomes papers exploring novel forms of self-alienation and the methodological advancements arising from digital alienation research. Examples include investigations into constructing "profile-based identity" through "second order observation," wherein identity is shaped by others' perceptions rather than direct self-assessment. The session aims to deepen understanding of how digital society, labor, and selfhood have revitalized alienation as a sociological theme and social phenomenon. Concurrently, the session addresses the profound societal transformations accompanying digitalization, where relationships with algorithmic entities and virtual realities increasingly substitute human interactions. Beyond visible risks, the session delves into the less obvious impacts of AI technologies on human identity and social relations. Papers exploring these themes from an alienation theory perspective are encouraged to enrich theoretical frameworks and expand insights into contemporary technological mediations of human intimacy, meaning, and language. This inclusive approach seeks to elucidate the multifaceted dimensions of digital alienation and its implications across various domains including social media dynamics, surveillance, online economies, and digital religions.
Session Organizers:
Oral Presentations