What does this research mean for the field?

The rapid adoption of AI technologies in Iranian society creates a dual impact, enhancing daily convenience and productivity while simultaneously undermining traditional face-to-face engagement, emotional bonds, and cultural identity. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research investigates how artificial intelligence influences interpersonal relationships in Iranian society.

May 30, 2026

AI and interpersonal relationships in Iran: Cultural and social challenges

Key Points

This research investigates how artificial intelligence influences interpersonal relationships in Iranian society.
Conducted twelve semi-structured interviews
Utilized a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods approach
Employed thematic analysis and intercoder reliability checks
AI enhances communication and daily convenience but diminishes face-to-face interactions and emotional bonds.
Participants reported increased loneliness and diminished empathy due to reliance on AI tools.
Concerns about cultural identity and social inequality emerged from uneven AI access.

Abstract

This study examines the multifaceted impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on interpersonal relationships within Iranian society, highlighting the cultural, social, and psychological challenges emerging from the rapid adoption of AI technologies. As tools such as virtual assistants, social media algorithms, and AI-driven communication platforms become embedded in daily life, they are reshaping patterns of interaction, emotional engagement, and cultural norms. Drawing on twelve semi-structured interviews analyzed through a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods approach, including thematic analysis, intercoder reliability checks, and cross-case comparison, the research identifies a dual narrative: AI enhances communication, productivity, and daily convenience, yet simultaneously undermines face-to-face engagement, emotional bonds, and traditional social practices central to Iranian culture. Findings reveal growing concerns about weakened family and community ties, reduced social skills, dependency on intelligent systems, and generational gaps in digital adaptation. Participants also noted broader cultural shifts, including the rise of virtual lifestyles, threats to cultural identity, and increased social inequality driven by uneven access to AI tools. The study further identifies psychological risks such as loneliness, superficial online connections, diminished empathy, and the perceived decline of emotional intelligence as individuals increasingly interact with algorithmic systems. At the societal level, privacy, data governance, and ethical challenges create additional pressures that shape public trust and relational dynamics. The study contributes to national and international debates on human–AI interaction by demonstrating how global technologies interact with local cultural contexts. It argues that balancing technological innovation with the preservation of Iranian social values is essential to ensuring that AI strengthens rather than erodes the foundations of meaningful human relationships.

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