Global Engineering Solutions Review

The systematic literature review examines the role of emerging technologies, particularly AI, social media, and virtual reality, in shaping social behavior and identity. In recent years, technology has moved beyond being a mere tool and has become a fundamental agent that actively transforms human actions, relationships, and societal structures. The review synthesizes peer-reviewed articles from 2014 to 2023 that explore how technologies like AI algorithms, social media platforms, and virtual realities influence identity formation, community dynamics, and social norms. Through rigorous inclusion criteria, the study focuses on long-term behavioral changes and psychological mechanisms, emphasizing the co-evolution between technology and social behavior. The results highlight the pervasive influence of technology, with social media identified as a central factor in identity formation, driven by algorithms that personalize content and foster social validation. AI, particularly in recommendation systems, affects individual decisions and content consumption, while virtual reality technologies introduce new forms of social interaction. The review also discusses emerging social phenomena like digital polarization, echo chambers, and the feedback loops between social behavior and technological advancements. The review concludes that while technology has reshaped social behavior and identity, there is a need for further research on the reciprocal relationship between technology and society. The findings suggest that technological developments significantly affect collective behaviors, societal norms, and social stratification.