The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation on Society: An Interdisciplinary Study of Human Behavior, Education, Governance, and Social Change

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation are really redefining the nature of today's societies and the behaviors of people, education systems, governance and other processes of social change. Domains have been studied individually in previous studies and there are only a few studies that examined the domains through a qualitative interdisciplinary perspective that critically examines interrelated social implications of these domains. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the opportunities and challenges of innovation, inclusion, and efficiency that emerge as a result of AI-driven digital transformation, as well as the ethical, social, and governance issues that arise. The study is carried out from the interpretivist paradigm and qualitative research design which employs systematic document analysis of peer-reviewed journal articles, government policy documents, reports of international organizations and contemporary case studies. Following Braun and Clarke (2006) and Creswell and Poth (2018), the patterns, meanings and relationships identified in the data are done from a variety of disciplinary perspectives via thematic analysis. The findings reveal five interrelated themes: Change in human behaviour, in digital identity; Change in AI-supported education and lifelong learning; opportunities and challenges of digital governance and of public service delivery; ethical issues of privacy, algorithmic bias, accountability and digital inequality; and AI as a catalyst for social innovation and institutional transformation (UNESCO, 2021; OECD, 2024). Theoretically, the study will provide contribution by formulating an integrated interdisciplinary framework that will provide explanations for the dynamic relationship between technological advances, institutional adaptation, and societal transformation. It offers a fact-based perspective for policymakers, teachers, tech innovators, and public servants seeking to promote responsible, inclusive, and people-centric governance of AI. The study provides a novel qualitative synthesis from the literature that integrates theory from various disciplines, such as sociology, education, psychology, governance and digital transformation, to shed light on the impact of AI on the path of social futures which are equitable and sustainable.