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Informative Article | Sociology | Volume 15 Issue 2, February 2026 | Pages: 1676 - 1679 | India
Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Sociological Exploration of Identity, Institutions, and Inequality
Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved from a technological tool into a pervasive social force that influences human identity, institutional operations, cultural practices, and patterns of inequality. This paper presents a sociological analysis of AI, explicitly linking theoretical frameworks, such as technological determinism, symbolic interactionism, institutional sociology, and digital capital theory-to empirical examples drawn from education, healthcare, labour markets, family life, and cultural systems. Using qualitative methods, including literature review, cross-national case studies, and secondary data from UNESCO, the World Bank, OECD, and NCERT, the study examines how AI mediates socialization, power relations, and access to resources. Findings indicate that AI can improve efficiency and personalization in health, education, and domestic life, but it may also exacerbate inequality through algorithmic bias, digital exclusion, and uneven infrastructure. Case studies from India, Japan, the United States, and Brazil highlight AI?s influence on digital identity, cultural participation, and institutional authority. The paper emphasizes the importance of ethical oversight, human-centered policies, and equitable governance to ensure AI enhances social well-being. Integrating theory and data, this study underscores AI?s broader sociological implications, offering insights for policy, cultural change, and global inequality.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Social Institutions, Identity, Digital Inequality, Sociological Theory, Ethics, Global Development
How to Cite?: Dr. Maria A, "Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Sociological Exploration of Identity, Institutions, and Inequality", Volume 15 Issue 2, February 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1676-1679, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26227213613, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26227213613