From Digital Inclusion to Digital Symbiosis: Intergenerational Pathways for Humanistic AI and Social Cohesion

Feng-Chueh Chen, Yuan-Hsun Chang () and Chien-I Lee
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Feng-Chueh Chen: Center for General Education, National Formosa University, Huwei Township, Yunlin County 632301, Taiwan
Yuan-Hsun Chang: Department of Information and Learning Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan 700301, Taiwan
Chien-I Lee: Department of Information and Learning Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan 700301, Taiwan

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-25

Abstract: This study addresses the dual sociological challenges of the silver digital divide and intergenerational estrangement in aging societies. Through a Participatory Action Research project, it explores and evaluates the AI-Enhanced Intergenerational Digital Inclusion (AI-IDI) framework as a mechanism for fostering social cohesion. Findings indicate that socio-emotional scaffolding from students, rather than technical instruction, was instrumental in reducing older adults’ technology anxiety, while students’ civic responsibility increased in line with the quality of collaboration. Interpreting these findings through the lens of Digital Symbiosis highlights how youth’s digital fluency and elders’ life wisdom can function as mutually reinforcing assets. Positioned as conceptual development and exploratory empirical research, this study reframes AI not as a mere tool but as a mediating resource for dialogue and solidarity. It contributes to sociological debates on technology and intergenerational relations while offering a transferable model for advancing digital equity and community cohesion.

Keywords: University Social Responsibility (USR); intergenerational learning; digital equity; Participatory Action Research (PAR); digital symbiosis; socio-emotional scaffolding; social cohesion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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