Artificial intelligence opens new career doors for social scientists!

From artificial intelligence ethics to user experience research, from digital society studies to data-driven social research, many new professional fields await social scientists. Asst. Prof. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin stated that the need for experts who understand human behavior is rapidly increasing in the changing business world, saying, "It is quite difficult for technologies developed without understanding humans and society to produce sustainable, reliable, and socially accepted solutions." 

Asst. Prof. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar University, evaluated the field of social sciences during this period when the relationship between humans and technology is being redefined.

"The success of technology does not depend solely on its technical proficiency"

Stating that a period in which the relationship between humans and technology is being redefined, Asst. Prof. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin said, "While artificial intelligence, big data, and digital technologies are rapidly transforming every area of life, this transformation is not only technical; it also represents a multifaceted process that must be evaluated with its social, cultural, psychological, and ethical dimensions. Today, artificial intelligence has become an important part of decision-making processes in many fields, from healthcare to education, law to public administration, international relations to the business world. However, the success of technology does not depend solely on its technical proficiency; it also depends on its ability to correctly understand human behaviors, social relations, and cultural dynamics."

"Technologies developed without understanding humans and society cannot be sustainable"

Highlighting the critical role of social sciences in guiding technological developments in a human-centered way, Asst. Prof. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin continued:

"Social sciences such as psychology, sociology, philosophy, history, and political science play a critical role in developing and implementing technology for human benefit. The fairness of algorithms, the protection of individual rights and freedoms, the creation of digital ethical principles, the prevention of the reproduction of social inequalities, and the observance of democratic values are only possible with the knowledge provided by social sciences. It is quite difficult for technologies developed without understanding humans and society to produce sustainable, reliable, and socially accepted solutions."

Referring to Üsküdar University's educational approach, Asst. Prof. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin made the following assessment:

"As the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar University, we aim to educate our students as individuals who effectively use technology but center humans, think critically, are sensitive to ethical values, and can correctly interpret social transformation. Because those who will shape the future are not only those who produce technology, but also social scientists who can direct it for the benefit of humanity."

New career fields are opening up for social scientists in the age of artificial intelligence

Stating that the career fields of social science graduates are rapidly diversifying, Asst. Prof. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin said, "Social science graduates can now pursue careers not only in traditional professional fields but also in many new areas such as artificial intelligence ethics, user experience (UX) research, behavioral analysis, digital society research, data-driven social research, public policies, digitalization of cultural heritage, and digital content management. Today, institutions need experts who can understand human behavior, think critically, and interpret data as much as they need technical knowledge. Our faculty also equips its students with the knowledge and skills to prepare them for this changing business world."

"Future technologies will become human-centered under the guidance of social sciences"

Stating that artificial intelligence is increasingly taking part in decision-making processes that directly affect human life, Dr. Özdin said, "Therefore, it is of great importance that algorithms are fair, developed in accordance with ethical principles, do not deepen social inequalities, and observe human rights. Psychology contributes to the correct analysis of the social impacts of artificial intelligence by revealing human behavior, sociology by revealing social structure, philosophy by revealing ethical principles, and history by revealing lessons learned from past experiences. Future technologies will only become human-centered under the guidance of social sciences."

"We are educating graduates who evaluate technology for human benefit, not merely consume it"

Stating that the education provided in the faculty is not limited to theoretical knowledge alone, Asst. Prof. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin said that they provide their students not only with theoretical knowledge but also with a perspective that enables them to consciously use technology, think critically, and produce solutions to social problems. Özdin said:
"Our educational programs are continuously updated with an understanding of research methods, data literacy, academic writing, ethical use of AI-supported research tools, and interdisciplinary learning. Our goal is to educate graduates who evaluate technology for the benefit of humans and society, not merely consume it."

The curriculum includes many current topics from artificial intelligence ethics to digital citizenship

Stating that the social impacts of technology are also reflected in the educational programs, Asst. Prof. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin said, "In our faculty, artificial intelligence is not only discussed as a technological development but also with its impacts on ethics, law, democracy, human rights, and social life. Our course content includes current topics such as algorithmic biases, digital privacy, disinformation, social media culture, digital addiction, digital citizenship, and artificial intelligence ethics. Thus, our students are educated as individuals who not only follow technological developments but also evaluate them critically."

Students work with data analysis and AI-supported research methods

Stating that Psychology and Sociology students gain digital research skills in addition to classical research methods, Özdin said, "In our Psychology and Sociology programs, our students gain proficiency in data analysis, statistical programs, digital research techniques, and AI-supported academic applications, alongside classical research methods. In addition to quantitative and qualitative data analysis, the analysis of social media data, digital behavior research, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence tools are important parts of the education process. Furthermore, our students have the opportunity to experience the culture of scientific production at the undergraduate level by participating in research projects, especially TÜBİTAK 2209-A."

"Even if translation technologies advance, they cannot replace human interpretation"

Emphasizing that AI-supported translation systems are transforming translator and interpreter education, but human expertise retains its importance, Asst. Prof. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin concluded her words as follows:

"AI-supported translation tools and computer-assisted translation systems are significantly transforming translation processes. However, language is not just about conveying words; accurately conveying cultural context, communication intent, and the nuances of meaning still requires human expertise. For this reason, in our Translation and Interpretation program, our students learn to use translation technologies effectively while also developing intercultural communication, terminology management, editing, and multilingual communication skills. Thus, they graduate as professionals who effectively use technology but know the value of human interpretation."