A new study looks at how artificial intelligence and other digital tools may be changing the way people find meaning in their lives. The review was published in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.
The paper asks how technology shapes identity, purpose, and human connection. It also looks at how digital skills can help people manage information.
The review covered technologies such as AI, the Internet of Things, and virtual reality. It also looked at personal tracking tools used for health.
How the Researchers Did the Study
The team used a method called a rapid review. This type of review sums up research faster than a full systematic review, but it may cover less ground.
The authors searched the Scopus database on April 26, 2024. They looked for English-language journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters published since 2010.
They found 84 records. Of those, 18 were chosen for the final review.
The review focused on two questions. The first asked how digital technology affects the search for meaning. The second asked how digital literacy helps people organize and use knowledge.
What the Review Found
The authors grouped their findings into five themes. These were AI and existential concerns, technology and human experience, embodied cognition, digital literacy and knowledge management, and meaningful interaction.
The studies showed that stories about AI reflect both fear and hope. People see AI as a possible threat that needs rules, and also as a topic for debate about what it means to be human.
The review noted that AI can create convincing fake content. This raises concerns about misinformation and public trust. Earlier research suggested blockchain technology as one way to verify digital content.
Virtual and augmented reality may also change how people see their bodies and themselves. The authors said design that considers user needs may support learning and self-reflection.
On the second question, the review found that digital literacy is key to managing knowledge at school, at work, and at home. It can help people find, process, and share information.
Studies of virtual classrooms, online discussions, and grief-support groups pointed to possible benefits. These included better learning, reflection, and emotional connection. The authors noted that learning gains are not the same as evidence about life purpose.
The review has limits. The search only looked at titles, used one database, and relied on one person to screen records. The team could not get the full text of 14 studies.
Because of these limits, the authors said the findings cannot prove cause and effect. The results may also not apply to all groups.
The authors recommended teaching digital and AI literacy, designing technology that encourages reflection, and improving knowledge management. They also called for stronger privacy protections and responsible AI rules.
The researchers said more long-term and cross-cultural studies are needed to show how these approaches affect the way people find meaning over time. The review was reported on October 29, 2026.
