Sosyoloji Alanında Akademisyenlerin Yapay Zeka Deneyimine İlişkin Bir İnceleme

Abstract

This study aims to reveal how artificial intelligence technologies are used in sociology as a scientific field and to evaluate the opportunities and challenges that accompany their use. It focuses on understanding the relationship that academics establish with artificial intelligence technologies as both researchers and educators of future sociologists, and on assessing the current and potential implications of their use. Employing qualitative research methods and techniques, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 academics who have been working for three years or more in sociology departments at six different universities in Ankara. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed thematically under the following categories: positioning toward technology and AI, the use of AI in research and academic production, the use of AI in sociology education, concerns about accuracy/reliability and ethical issues, and the future of artificial intelligence and sociology.

In the study, AI technologies were addressed through the relational ontological approach of Actor Network Theory (ANT), which also guided the interpretation of the findings. It was observed that participants often established cautious relationships with AI tools in scientific production. They described using these tools for translation, proofreading, consulting, idea generation, literature review, transcription, and data analysis. In education, participants noted challenges related to students' use of AI and responded either by restricting their use or by encouraging conscious and informed usage. In addition, some participants have begun to adapt their assessment methods.

The findings also revealed participants' concerns about the accuracy and reliability of AI tools and highlighted the need for a new ethical understanding regarding their use. Finally, participants pointed out that AI could offer new methodological possibilities for the future of sociology, while predicting a shift in research agendas toward micro-level fields, with an emphasis on social communication, interaction, and social inequality.