Sociological Analysis of Digital Transformation in Azerbaijani Society: Artificial Intelligence, Structural Shifts and Social Inequality
Eliza Ismayilova
Abstract. In the contemporary world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as one of the most extensively discussed technological innovations, progressively enhancing its efficacy across all spheres of life. Empirical research and statistical data indicate that the societal impact of AI is continuously expanding, influencing social dynamics through multifaceted channels. Consequently, AI has become a focal point of inquiry not only for software and computer sciences but also for the social sciences. Sociological investigations into digital evolution and AI are currently experiencing significant growth in both qualitative and quantitative dimensions. The objective of this research is to analyze the impact of digital transformation on social structures, institutional relations, and the behavioral patterns of individual actors within Azerbaijani society from a sociological perspective. The article establishes an analytical framework based on the theories of the network society, the information society, and the digital divide, while proposing a structured empirical research design. The study concludes that digital transformation in Azerbaijan is primarily facilitated through state-centric institutional mechanisms, a process that may catalyze the emergence of novel forms of social stratification.
Keywords: digital transformation, digital divide, social stratification, artificial intelligence