AI-Based Digital Transformation and Social Capital in Civic Engagement among Pakistani University Students

Purpose— In an increasingly digitalized society, understanding how technology intersects with social behaviors is essential for sociological inquiry. This study explores the influence of digital transformation, social media exposure, and institutional trust on civic engagement among university students, with digital social capital examined as a mediating variable. Study Design/methodology/approach— Grounded in sociological theory, this research targets the student population of the University of the Punjab, Lahore, one of Pakistan's largest public universities. Using a quantitative design, data were collected through an online survey distributed to a purposive sample of 450 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings— The results reveal that all three independent variables have significant positive relationships with civic engagement, and digital social capital plays a significant mediating role, amplifying the effect of digital and institutional variables on students' civic behavior. Research Practical Implications— This research contributes to the intersection of digital sociology and youth civic participation, offering insights for academic institutions and policymakers aiming to foster active citizenship in digital context. Originality/value— It uniquely examines digital social capital as a mediator linking digital transformation, social media exposure, and institutional trust to students’ civic engagement in a Pakistani university context. It also provides PLS-SEM–based evidence from one of the country’s largest public universities, offering context-specific insights that are scarce in the youth civic engagement literature