THE TRANSFORMATION OF SOCIAL SCIENCES IN THE 21ST CENTURY: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, DIGITALIZATION, AND ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES

The rapid technological and societal transformations of the 21st century—often referred to as the digital age—have fundamentally reshaped the scope and methodologies of the social sciences. At the forefront of this transformation is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), which has revolutionized data collection, analysis, and interpretation across various disciplines. AI-driven tools such as big data analytics, predictive algorithms, and machine learning systems have introduced new paradigms in how social phenomena are studied. Alongside digitalization, these innovations have opened up novel research opportunities through platforms like social media and mobile technologies, enabling more dynamic and real-time forms of inquiry. However, these advancements have also presented critical ethical challenges. Issues surrounding data privacy, algorithmic bias, transparency, and information security have raised complex questions regarding the responsible use of AI in social research. This article examines how the social sciences are being transformed through the integration of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, with a particular focus on emerging ethical considerations. It explores how AI-driven methodologies are enabling interdisciplinary research and generating more nuanced insights into contemporary social issues. Furthermore, the article evaluates how ethical standards within the social sciences are being redefined in response to these technological shifts. In conclusion, the 21st century has witnessed a paradigm shift in the social sciences, as artificial intelligence and digitalization push the field toward more comprehensive, adaptive, and ethically conscious frameworks. This article offers a critical assessment of the evolving role of the social sciences in a technologically mediated world and investigates the ethical foundations that underpin this transformation.