Interaksi Generasi Z dengan Artificial Intelligence, Alienasi, dan Dampaknya terhadap Hubungan Sosial

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital technology in the Fourth Industrial Revolution has positioned Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a key driver of social transformation. Generation Z, known for their adaptability to technology, has increasingly integrated AI into both academic and social contexts. This study aims to explore Gen Z’s experiences in interacting with AI and to analyze its impact on their social relationships through the lens of Marx’s theory of alienation and Giddens’ structuration theory. Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with four members of the Konco Dolen community in Malang Raya who actively use AI. The findings reveal that initial interactions with AI were primarily motivated by functional needs, particularly to support academic productivity and professional tasks. While Marx’s concept of alienation helps explain potential risks of detachment when human interaction is mediated by algorithms, the data indicate that alienation was minimal. Instead, participants positioned AI as a practical support system that enhanced efficiency and even fostered self-reflection. From Giddens’ perspective, this reflects the duality of structure, AI both shapes and is shaped by users’ agency in their daily practices. Overall, AI functions as an instrumental tool that supports Gen Z’s productivity with limited impact on social relationships, provided that critical awareness of technology’s boundaries is maintained.