Social Technologies: AI, Social Media, and the Evolving Landscape of Trust, Persuasion, and Connection

Artificial intelligence has become deeply embedded in contemporary culture and the economy, with users increasingly relying on AI for information and personal interaction. However, AI-generated content can often be inaccurate or biased, reflecting limitations in training data and programming. Confirmation biases make users more inclined to accept information that aligns with their beliefs, while individual difference characteristics (such as thinking styles) are likely to predict patterns of AI use and trust. There is a pressing need to clarify the moderating factors and mediating mechanisms by which people come to adopt AI and distinguish between information and misinformation. In parallel, social media has grown influential at both individual and societal levels, with platforms amplifying ideological divides, hate speech, and misinformation. New trends, such increased online parasocial relationships, the prominence of influencers, and the “enshittification” of online platforms are affecting people worldwide, while the broader social psychological consequences remain underexplored.This Research Topic aims to advance a nuanced understanding of the psychological, social, and societal impacts of artificial intelligence and social media. A key aim is to explore the conditions under which people trust or resist AI systems and to identify the outcomes associated with intensive technology engagement: attitude polarization, parasocial relationships with humans and AI, so-called “AI psychosis,” and shifts in loneliness and belonging—all of which reflect the fundamental social motive toward affiliation. Additional aims may reflect social motives toward self-protection (e.g., the impacts of AI on the environment and economy) or status (e.g., the upward trend in young people aspiring to careers as influencers). Submissions may also examine the mechanisms—such as confirmation bias, thinking styles, and individual differences—that moderate and mediate use, trust, and acceptance of AI-generated and social media content, including misinformation. We also seek to stimulate the development and rigorous validation of instruments for measuring attitudes toward AI in terms of usefulness, humanness, trustworthiness, and perceived societal impact—attitudes that could motivate various use cases and acceptance of or resistance to the proliferation of these technologies. By inviting research at the intersection of psychology, technology, and society, this topic strives to provide actionable insights on mitigating risks, fostering well-being, and promoting positive human-technology interaction.This Research Topic covers the psychological and social dimensions of AI and social media, focusing on the mechanisms, impacts, and measurement of attitudes, trust, and behavioral outcomes. Research should remain attentive to current technological, cultural, and economic contexts while addressing the evolving digital landscape.Key themes include:* Moderating/mediating mechanisms in trust and use of AI-generated content* Effects of confirmation bias, thinking styles, and individual differences* Outcomes such as attitude polarization, loneliness, parasocial relationships, and AI anthropomorphism, and what the media has dubbed “AI psychosis.”* Measurement and validation of attitudes toward AI (usefulness, humanness, trustworthiness, environmental/economic impacts)* Social psychological impacts of AI’s economic and environmental effects* Social influence of media personalities and influencers* Hate speech, misinformation, and “enshittification” in digital platformsWe welcome Original Research, Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Theoretical Papers, and Perspectives. Registered reports are welcome. Open science practices are encouraged. Submissions should advance understanding of the psychological and social effects of AI and social media, addressing methodological or ethical challenges—such as bias, misinformation, and measurement issues. We particularly encourage contributions that identify research pitfalls and offer practical guidance for rigorous, responsible study in this rapidly evolving field. Topic editors: Andrew S. Franks, Gregory Gondwe Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76474/social-technologies-ai-social-media-and-the-evolving-landscape-of-trust-persuasion-and-connection