Will Generative AI Create a New Social Divide? Investigating the Impacts of Generative AI Use on Social Capital in China.
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| Title: | Will Generative AI Create a New Social Divide? Investigating the Impacts of Generative AI Use on Social Capital in China. |
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| Authors: | Liu, Yin (AUTHOR), Zhang, Zaozao (AUTHOR), Wu, Yingkai (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. Sep2025, Vol. 41 Issue 18, p11324-11340. 17p. |
| Subjects: | Generative artificial intelligence, Social capital, Information dissemination, Social interaction, East Asians, Internet surveys |
| Geographic Terms: | China |
| Abstract: | Generative artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role in information dissemination, yet its effects on social constructs like social capital remain underexplored. This study employs a survey of 1,053 online respondents in China to dissect the association between generative AI use and social capital, considering both usage patterns and intensity. Findings reveal that generative AI users have a more significant correlation in having social capital than non-users. Task-oriented generative AI use is positively associated with offline bonding social capital but negatively with online bonding social capital. In contrast, the use of social orientation was positively associated with having social capital on both dimensions. In addition, the intensity and frequency of using generative AI are positively related to social capital, with more significant effects observed in online settings. These results contribute to understanding technology's impact on social relationships and the varying effects of different AI engagement patterns on social capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Generative artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role in information dissemination, yet its effects on social constructs like social capital remain underexplored. This study employs a survey of 1,053 online respondents in China to dissect the association between generative AI use and social capital, considering both usage patterns and intensity. Findings reveal that generative AI users have a more significant correlation in having social capital than non-users. Task-oriented generative AI use is positively associated with offline bonding social capital but negatively with online bonding social capital. In contrast, the use of social orientation was positively associated with having social capital on both dimensions. In addition, the intensity and frequency of using generative AI are positively related to social capital, with more significant effects observed in online settings. These results contribute to understanding technology's impact on social relationships and the varying effects of different AI engagement patterns on social capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10447318 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10447318.2024.2443242 |
