Sociologist Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı stated that a new era has been entered where social relations are established not only between people but also with machines, saying, "Sociologists can encourage the development of new sub-disciplines like ‘robosociology’ by conducting in-depth theoretical studies on the social roles of robots and AI ethics."
Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı noted that artificial intelligence sociology is increasingly finding a place in university education programs, stating that these courses examine topics such as the effects of AI in areas like health, education, and law, how algorithms reflect social stereotypes, and their contribution to social inequalities.
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, a faculty member in the Department of Sociology at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, evaluated the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and robot technologies on social dynamics and the role of sociologists in this field, in a modern world rapidly shaped by technology.
New sub-disciplines like ‘Robosociology’ are developing
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı noted that the definition of social interactions has undergone a radical change due to technological developments, stating, “Today, social relationships are no longer exclusively between humans but also with machines. This transformation requires understanding how machines shape social norms, how they transform social structures, and how humans collaborate with machines. Furthermore, considering the role of machines in social relationships, it becomes crucial for sociologists to conduct in-depth analyses of these new social actors within ethical, cultural, and social contexts. This process broadens the scope of sociology, making it possible to examine social structures within a wider framework. Sociologists can encourage the development of new sub-disciplines like ‘robosociology’ by conducting in-depth theoretical studies on the social roles of robots and AI ethics. Additionally, by addressing the demographic, ethical, and social risks of technology, it enables a more comprehensive analysis of societies.”
Artificial intelligence is transforming social structures
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı stated that sociology does not merely approach artificial intelligence as a technology; rather, it offers a perspective that examines how AI transforms social structures, and how it reproduces or alters social inequalities, continuing as follows:
“Artificial intelligence technologies have the potential to change social dynamics not only in the labor market but also in many areas such as education, health, and law. Sociologists investigate how AI is shaped by cultural norms and social structures, questioning whether these technologies further deepen social inequalities. A sociological perspective considers not only the functional but also the social and ethical consequences of AI. This allows for examining the relationship between fundamental issues such as social justice, equality, and human rights with the development of AI. As AI offers great opportunities for predicting and understanding future social changes, sociological research in this field helps us better grasp the dynamics of social structures. In other words, with AI transforming social life, there is a greater need for sociologists' contributions to understand the social reflections of this transformation.”
What are the approaches to artificial intelligence sociology?
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı explained that artificial intelligence sociology has been shaped by two main approaches in recent years: humanist and post-humanist. He stated, “The humanist approach views AI as a social phenomenon and discusses its social impacts, cultural dimensions, and how it reproduces social inequalities. According to this approach, AI is an important actor reshaping social structures beyond being merely a technological tool. In this context, focus is placed on transformations in the labor market, automation, and unemployment. On the other hand, the post-humanist approach accepts AI as a social actor rather than merely a tool serving humans. This approach emphasizes that human and non-human entities (machines, robots, artificial intelligence) can be equally effective in social interaction. From a post-humanist perspective, the boundaries between humans and technology become more fluid, and the place of machines in social relationships is questioned more deeply.”
Artificial intelligence deepens income and opportunity inequalities
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı noted that the development of artificial intelligence and robot technologies particularly deepens income and opportunity inequalities, continuing his words as follows:
“Thanks to automation, job losses in traditional sectors are increasing, posing greater threats to low-skilled workers. Those with high digital skills gain advantages by using these new technologies, while low-skilled workers face challenges such as unemployment and low wages. Sociologists state that this process is transforming not only economic inequalities but also the social structure. Individuals with technology and digital skills have a higher chance of earning more income, and these segments are forming an increasingly larger economic power in society. This situation can lead to a widening income gap in society and the concentration of resources in a narrow group, which can increase social unrest and tensions. Sociologists also emphasize that these new technologies not only reinforce social inequalities but also offer opportunities to examine social phenomena more deeply through collaborations with different disciplines.”
What are the new concepts like "Digisexuality" and their effects on family structure?
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı also stated that interdisciplinary studies can help model social changes more accurately and predict social trends, adding, “However, the use of these technologies requires not only technical knowledge but also an ethical and cultural understanding. Furthermore, there are aspects of the new era that affect institutions such as family and marriage. For example, in recent years, concepts like ‘digisexuality,’ which we frequently discuss, have started to emerge; technology companies offer robot-partner solutions for lonely individuals. However, these technologies carry ethical, demographic, and social risks. Legal and philosophical discussions are intensifying, especially regarding the impact of robots on human relationships and population growth. In this context, a multidisciplinary approach will allow us to examine the social effects of these technologies more comprehensively.”
Artificial intelligence analyzes big data quickly and effectively
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı also stated that artificial intelligence has the capacity to analyze large datasets quickly and effectively in sociological research, noting the following:
“This enables the rapid identification and prediction of social trends. Especially with the use of large language models (LLMs), tasks such as surveys and text analyses can be performed more quickly and at a lower cost. Since LLMs have the capacity to mimic typical responses of social groups (e.g., gender, nationality, class), research can be conducted with less human participation, and the data collection process can be accelerated. Furthermore, the tools offered by AI provide access to broader and more diverse datasets, making it possible to model social changes more accurately and predict social trends. These advantages allow sociological research to produce more comprehensive, faster, and accurate results.”
It can reproduce social inequalities and prejudices
Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı stated that one of the biggest risks of artificial intelligence is its potential to reinforce existing social prejudices, saying, “Algorithms can sometimes reproduce social inequalities and biases present in datasets. Additionally, the insufficient representation of certain social groups in data access limits the effectiveness of AI.”
Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı also stated that the lack of transparency in AI's decision-making processes and the situation known as the "black box" problem create serious doubts about the system's reliability and lead to a lack of social trust.
Sociologists should develop new methods
Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı stated that understanding the social effects of artificial intelligence and robots would require not only large-scale data analyses but also cultural and contextual examinations, adding, “The impact of technologies on social dynamics should be analyzed in a multifaceted way using methods such as network sciences, social network analysis, qualitative research, and simulations. Qualitative research offers the opportunity to question the cultural and social biases involved in the design of these technologies more deeply.”
“Artificial intelligence sociology” courses have started
Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı noted that artificial intelligence sociology is increasingly finding a place in university education programs, stating that these courses examine topics such as the effects of AI in areas like health, education, and law, how algorithms reflect social stereotypes, and their contribution to social inequalities. Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı concluded by saying, “These courses aim to provide students with an analytical perspective that will help them understand the social impacts of AI technologies.”