Purpose: To present an editorial and analytical synthesis of the 2025 issue (Volume 6) of the Review of Artificial Intelligence in Education, highlighting conceptual, methodological, and thematic trends emerging across the international studies published on AI in education. Methodology: An integrative review of all articles in the edition was conducted, examining theoretical perspectives, methodological designs, explanatory models, institutional diversity, and cross-national contributions. The synthesis draws on comparative analysis of findings from Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Brazil. Findings: The issue reveals four major axes: (1) AI governance and ethics, with growing emphasis on regulation, explainability, and compliance frameworks (EU; ISO 42001). (2) Pedagogical practices and real-world AI use by students and educators, showing tensions between efficiency gains and educational risks. (3) Student vulnerability and digital inequality, underscoring the need for inclusive policy frameworks. (4) Methodological diversification, marked by PLS-SEM, Social Network Analysis, PRISMA-based reviews, normative-institutional analyses, and conceptual modeling in generative AI. Conclusion: The 2025 edition reinforces the journal’s role as a global reference in AI-in-education research, combining scientific rigor, methodological plurality, and commitment to open science. The contributions deepen international dialogue on responsible AI governance, innovative teaching practices, and equitable digital transformation.

Social media is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for knowledge mobilization, activism, and advocacy—particularly for young adults who are often excluded from institutional research and decision-making. However, these platforms are not neutral; algorithmic biases, corporate interests, and structural barriers shape whose knowledge is amplified and whose is suppressed. This study examines the nuances of using social media for participatory, youth-led knowledge mobilization through the Valuing Opinions and Inspiring Change through Engagement (VOICE) Study, a youth-designed and youth-led initiative exploring social media engagement strategies to reach equity-deserving and hardly reached young adults in mental health advocacy. Using an iterative, co-created approach, the study employed both qualitative and quantitative analyses to examine engagement with different types of social media content. The findings reveal tensions between visibility and meaningful interaction: while reels expanded audience reach, they did not consistently foster engagement. Medium-relevance posts addressing relatable mental health topics sustained engagement, highlighting the need to balance reach with substantive impact. The study also considers digital inequities, as youth without stable internet access or those avoiding social media for privacy and well-being concerns remained excluded. Through a participatory and reflexive framework, this study challenges assumptions that social media inherently democratizes knowledge. It underscores the need for multi-modal strategies integrating online and offline engagement and calls for critical examination of corporate social media’s structural limitations in activist research.

Digital inequality, uncertainty risk and rural residents' consumption

Digital and socioeconomic inequalities in perceived mobility restrictions for activity participation: Captive users in Madrid

What makes smart cities inclusive? The spillover effects of the intra-city digital divide on inter-city digital inequality

This study proposes a conceptual-analytical framework for human-centric AI integration in Industry 5.0 by employing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and Applied Framework Analysis (AFA). A structured PRISMA-based screening process was applied to ensure transparency in identifying and selecting 48 scholarly sources that inform the framework. The review reveals three foundational dimensions enabling responsible AI adoption: ethical governance grounded in transparency and accountability, inclusive innovation addressing bias and digital inequality, and futureready human capital oriented toward capability enhancement. These dimensions are synthesized into a sociotechnical framework that bridges normative humancentric principles with organizational practice. To demonstrate its analytical utility, the framework is applied to Gojek Indonesia as an illustrative case using publicly available secondary information, without claiming empirical verification or access to proprietary algorithmic processes. The analysis indicates partial alignment between Gojek’s documented initiatives and human-centric principles, particularly in interface transparency, communication design, and worker-support mechanisms, while also exposing persistent tensions related to power asymmetry and limited algorithmic visibility. The study concludes that although secondary evidence suggests opportunities for human-centric implementation, comprehensive evaluation requires multi-method empirical research capable of capturing lived experiences and internal decision-making structures.

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic made digital technologies essential for children, yet their impact on socioeconomic disparities in well-being remained unclear. Leveraging a cross-national dataset of 19,502 children across 18 societies collected between March and August 2021—a period dominated by the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma SARS-CoV-2 variants but preceding the mass transmission of Omicron – this study examines whether digitalization mitigated or exacerbated socioeconomic inequalities in child well-being. We evaluate three dimensions of the digital divide – internet quality (first-level), digital activities (second-level), and differential returns by socioeconomic status (SES) (third-level) – to see how access and use shape hedonic and eudaimonic well-being across family SES. Our findings show high-quality internet access boosts children’s well-being, but digital activities have divergent effects: interacting with friends online consistently improves well-being, social media use undermines it, and online gaming yields mixed outcomes. Critically, higher-SES children reaped greater benefits from quality internet and online social interactions, revealing a third-level digital divide. These results highlight how digital inequities drive well-being disparities and underscore the need for more targeted and inclusive ICT policies in times of crisis.

Abstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the 21st century, reshaping how education is delivered, accessed, and personalized. With the ability to analyse data, automate tasks, and adapt instruction based on learner behaviour, AI is driving fundamental changes across global education systems. From intelligent tutoring systems to automated grading, personalized learning environments, and administrative optimization, AI offers opportunities to enhance teaching efficiency and student outcomes. However, the rapid adoption of AI raises concerns about data privacy, ethical issues, teacher displacement fears, digital inequality, and over-reliance on technology. This paper provides a comprehensive literature review of AI applications in the education sector, examines global trends, explores benefits and challenges, and highlights existing research gaps. It also presents a comparative view of AI adoption across countries and offers insights into future directions for AI-driven education. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Education Technology, Personalized Learning, EdTech, Automation, Digital Literacy, Adaptive Learning

Subjective well-being is central to economic, medical, and policy decision-making. We evaluate whether large language models (LLMs) can provide valid predictions of well-being across global populations. Using natural-language profiles from 64,000 individuals in 64 countries, we benchmark four leading LLMs against self-reports and statistical models. Unlike regressions, which estimate relationships from survey data, LLMs draw only on individual characteristics (e.g., sociodemographic, attitudinal, and psychological factors) together with associations encoded during pretraining, rather than from the survey's subjective well-being responses. They produced plausible patterns consistent with known correlates such as income and health, but systematically underperformed relative to regressions and showed the largest errors in underrepresented countries, reflecting biases rooted in global digital and economic inequality. A preregistered experiment revealed that LLMs rely on surface-level linguistic associations rather than conceptual understanding, leading to predictable distortions in unfamiliar contexts. Injecting contextual information partly reduced-but did not remove-these biases. These findings demonstrate that while LLMs can simulate broad correlates of life satisfaction, they fail to capture its experiential and cultural depth. Accordingly, they should not be used as substitutes for human self-reports of well-being; doing so would risk reinforcing inequality and undermining human agency.

This study aims to analyze the forms of transformation undertaken by madrasahs and pesantren in responding to social changes in the digital era. The research employs a library research method, examining ideas, theories, and previous research findings without conducting field data collection. Data sources are derived from academic books, journal articles, research reports, and policy documents related to Islamic education and digitalization. The research process involves identifying key issues, selecting relevant literature, and conducting content analysis to discover patterns and key findings. The data analysis technique in this literature review research uses content analysis by examining, interpreting, and synthesizing various written sources systematically to understand the transformation of madrasahs and pesantren in the digital era. The results indicate that madrasahs and pesantren play a fundamental role in instilling moral, ethical, and spiritual values through their distinctive Islamic educational traditions. However, in a modern context, pesantren have also evolved into agents of community empowerment through curriculum innovation, entrepreneurship training, and the strengthening of digital literacy to prepare adaptive generations. Although globalization presents challenges such as digital inequality and resistance to change, pesantren have managed to adapt by integrating technology into learning while maintaining their Islamic identity. Thus, madrasahs and pesantren are proven to be dynamic institutions that preserve tradition while being able to transform in accordance with the demands of the times.

Background/RationaleMigration can alter elder caregiving practices, redistributing responsibilities across geographically dispersed networks. However, systemic barriers such as economic precarity, limited digital access, and immigration constraints often exacerbate the complexities of elder caregiving in transnational contexts. In addition to the common challenges faced by caregivers, such as emotional strain, logistical coordination, and financial demands, transnational caregivers must also navigate the complexities introduced by physical distance from their care recipients. Technology is a critical tool in bridging these gaps, enabling caregivers to provide emotional support, monitor health, and manage caregiving tasks remotely. This study examines how first-generation Nigerian immigrants navigate transnational eldercare, focusing on the interplay between emotional, relational, technological, and financial dynamics, and offers insights into the evolving nature of caregiving in a globalized world.Methodology and methodsThis qualitative study included N = 10 first-generation Nigerian immigrants residing in Northern BC. The integrated frameworks of transnationalism and intersectionality guided the description of how rural and northern geography, immigration status, and class, reflected through education, occupation, and income narratives, shape elder caregiving practices across borders. An inductive reflexive thematic analysis was employed, using narrative interviews and a brief pre-interview survey to contextualize caregiving roles. Data collection included pre-interview surveys to capture demographic and caregiving contexts, and narrative interviews that provided in-depth accounts of participants’ caregiving experiences across borders. These methods offered a nuanced exploration of the complexities of transnational elder caregiving.ResultsCaregivers expressed guilt, helplessness, and emotional strain, but also resilience through familial support and self-care. Migration redistributed caregiving roles, with local families providing physical care and migrants offering financial support and coordination. Tools like WhatsApp and video calls enabled emotional connection and remote monitoring despite digital limitations. Financial remittances sustained care but introduced economic strain. Family bonds were maintained through virtual collaboration, with caregivers navigating cultural tensions.ConclusionsThis study reveals the adaptability of Nigerian transnational caregivers as they navigate financial, emotional, and logistical responsibilities across borders. While emphasizing resilience, the findings also highlight systemic challenges-including digital inequities and economic pressures-calling on policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to develop culturally informed policies and targeted support that empower caregivers and enhance well-being in transnational settings.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-025-13683-9.

Background and aim: Recent research on privacy protection among internet users appears to highlight a paradox: although online surveillance is a major concern, many users make minimal efforts to safeguard their data. This phenomenon, often termed ‘privacy apathy’, has been largely unexplored in the context of later life, with limited studies examining older internet users’ perspectives on online surveillance and privacy practices. Methods: This article presents findings from an online survey conducted in November and December 2023, which examined older internet users’ (aged 60+) perceptions and practices regarding digital surveillance by commercial corporations in Austria, Canada, Israel, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain. Responses from 3,030 participants provide insights into their awareness of online surveillance and the relationship with online privacy behaviours. Results: Results reveal mixed perceptions of corporate surveillance among older internet users. Approximately half of the respondents reported no awareness of such surveillance. Notably, older participants showed lower awareness compared to younger study participants. However, those who were aware of surveillance – whether viewing it positively or negatively – were more likely to adopt privacy protection measures. Discussion: The study challenges the notion of widespread privacy apathy among older adults. Instead, it highlights that many competently engage in privacy protection practices, although not universally. Findings underscore the need for further research on digital inequalities in later life to better understand the nuances of privacy protection practices among older internet users. The discussion also underscores the need to further situate privacy apathy in later life within the broader contexts in which corporations cultivate digital resignation, ultimately producing the so-called privacy paradox as a means to legitimise large-scale data collection.

The way that individuals and public entities communicate has changed as a result of the growing use of digital technology in governance. Digital public relations, or DPR, has become a vital tool for improving government communication systems' responsiveness, accountability, and openness. Through the use of social media, online platforms, and e-governance technologies, DPR is essential in helping Madhya Pradesh's Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) close the gap between administrative officials and urban dwellers. This study looks at how DPR practices are incorporated into e-government systems and how well they work to guarantee participatory urban governance. The study examines digital communication efforts carried out by different ULBs in Madhya Pradesh and is based on both primary and secondary sources. It emphasizes how policy information is shared, emergencies are handled, complaints are addressed, and public involvement is encouraged through the use of digital platforms. The study also looks into how much DPR methods help to improve service delivery, foster trust, and allow for real-time communication between the public and government entities. Issues that affect these efforts' effectiveness, such digital inequalities, low technical literacy, and budget limitations, receive special focus. The results show that although ULBs' outreach and visibility have been greatly enhanced by digital public relations, institutional capability, public awareness, and regular digital interaction are still necessary for e-governance to be effective. According to the study's findings, DPR may revolutionize urban government in Madhya Pradesh by promoting transparency, efficiency, and inclusion when properly paired with e-governance frameworks. By highlighting the importance of communication tactics in enhancing grassroots democratic involvement, this study adds to the larger conversation on digital governance.

ABSTRACT This ethnographic study examines the socio-economic and cultural impacts of social casino gaming, focusing the mobile application Higgs Domino Island (HDI) in Indonesia. Although Marketed as a casual game, HDI functions as a social casino platform whose monetization through third-party chip exchanges effectively serves as a proxy for gambling. Based on in-depth interviews and participant observation with nine male informants, the study reveals how gambling becomes a coping strategy amid post-pandemic economic uncertainty. Early wins are framed as acts of empowerment but often lead to escalate into financial losses and emotional distress due to addictive platform designs. Informal economic roles – such as chip sellers – emerge, sustaining a shadow digital economy within community networks. Socially, HDI platform fosters bonding through communal play yet invites stigma from visible consumption. Culturally, players perform identity shifts through symbolic displays like custom clothing and vehicle modification, navigating tensions with religious and legal norms. Health risks, including sleep disruption and emotional dysregulation, accompany repetitive gambling practices. The findings suggest that social casino gaming, when mediated through informal monetization, is best understood as a socialized response to structural vulnerability rather than a purely individual behavior, requiring policy interventions that address economic precarity, digital inequalities, and community-level moral frameworks.

The integration of digital technologies into everyday life has significantly influenced how young people engage with democratic processes, though the implications remain uneven and contested. Digital platforms offer opportunities for civic participation, activism, and political education; however, they also pose risks, including misinformation, polarization, and digital access inequalities, which raise concerns about the inclusivity of youth democracy. This study examines the role of digital technologies in shaping youth democratic engagement, with particular attention to civic participation, digital citizenship, and the challenges of digital environments. Using Scopus AI (search conducted on 11 September 2025), the review applied a narrative review approach combining a structured search string, summary and expanded summary analysis, concept mapping, topic expert profiling, and identification of emerging themes to synthesize literature across disciplines. The findings show that digital culture fosters new forms of engagement through online activism, global networks, while digital citizenship predicts both local and global participation. Nonetheless, challenges including misinformation, online harassment, and ethical concerns about technological determinism limit the democratizing potential of these tools. Emerging themes emphasize the importance of digital competence, innovations in digital democracy, youth-led digital activism, and the transformation of the public sphere. The study concludes that digital technologies present both opportunities and challenges for youth democracy, highlighting the need for educational reforms to strengthen digital literacy, policy interventions to ensure equitable access, and safeguards to protect democratic quality. These provide theoretical contributions to understanding democracy in the digital age and practical guidance for policymakers, educators, and civic organizations.

The article is devoted to the study of the application of direct marketing tools in the field of public policy and public administration. Based on a review of contemporary literature and practical cases, it is shown that the growing tolerance of audiences toward traditional PR communications makes it relevant to turn to personalized, targeted forms of communication with citizens. The theoretical part reveals the concept of political direct marketing and the specific features of its tools (postal and e-mail newsletters, personalized appeals, targeted advertising, etc.) in comparison with commercial marketing. The empirical analysis includes case studies: Cambridge Analytica as an example of microtargeting in election campaigns and the Moscow platform Active Citizen as a successful tool of direct citizen engagement in governance. The significance of personalized communications and targeting for improving the effectiveness of interaction between government and society (increasing legitimacy, targeted services, voter mobilization) is substantiated. At the same time, the risks of these technologies are identified – from ethical and legal (privacy threats, manipulation of voter behavior) to socio-political (non-transparency of decisions, digital inequality). In conclusion, the article summarizes the prospects for integrating direct marketing into the toolkit of public administration and the need for regulatory measures to minimize potential risks.

Introduction . In the context of the rapid digitalization of Russian society, digital inequality has transformed into a systemic factor of social stratification, requiring comprehensive diagnostics based on the integration of quantitative and qualitative data. Methodology and sources . The research methodology is based on a three-level model of sociological diagnostics (operational, subject-adaptive, general methodological levels), combining 12 key indicators from official statistics (Rosstat, Ministry of Finance) and academic research (HSE, RANEPA), which allows us to identify not only explicit but also latent forms of inequality. Results and discussion . The results of the analysis revealed the paradox of “false inclusion”, the cumulative advantage effect, and critical points of no return at which groups lose their adaptive potential, which confirms Bourdieu's hypothesis about digital capital as a key mediator of social mobility. The results demonstrate that traditional infrastructure solutions exacerbate inequality, requiring a transition to digital emancipation and algorithmic transparency policies, especially for regions with low levels of digital inclusion. Conclusion . The formation of the diagnostic methodology highlights the universality of the proposed model, which has proven predictive accuracy and adaptability to various social processes, from educational inequality to migration trajectories, which opens up new prospects for evidence-based policies in the digital age.

The digitalization era has brought major transformations to the world of work, where automation, artificial intelligence, and information technology have replaced many conventional human roles. This shift presents serious challenges to employment, especially for workers lacking digital skills. This article aims to analyze the main challenges of unemployment in the digitalization era, its contributing factors, and the strategies that can be implemented to address these challenges. Through literature review and secondary data analysis, it is found that digital unemployment is not only about job losses but also involves digital access inequality, outdated education curricula, and slow adaptation of labor policies. The study concludes that a cross-sectoral collaborative approach and transformation in the education system are necessary to prepare human resources that are relevant to the demands of the digital era.

This article examines digital inequalities in Italy through a sociological lens, arguing that the digital divide is not merely a technological issue but a manifestation of broader social stratification. Drawing on data from ISTAT (2023–2024), the analysis explores disparities in Internet access and computer use among families with minors and young people aged 6–24. While connectivity has reached near universality, significant territorial, educational, and social gaps persist, reflecting enduring inequalities in resources and opportunities. The study interprets these patterns through the framework of first-, second-, and third-level digital divides, linking them to theory of cultural capital and digital capital. Results indicate that inequalities extend beyond access, encompassing differences in digital skills, motivation, and the capacity to translate online participation into educational or social advantages. Gendered expectations further influence these dynamics, shaping distinct patterns of engagement with technology. The discussion highlights how digitalization acts as a mechanism of social reproduction, where access and competence are mediated by pre-existing disparities in education and culture. From a policy perspective, the paper calls for a shift from infrastructure-oriented strategies toward capability-based digital education that fosters critical, ethical, and future-oriented digital citizenship.

The abrupt transition to online learning during the pandemic presented significant challenges for social work education, a field deeply reliant on experiential learning and human interaction. This study investigates the challenges and opportunities in implementing the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) curriculum, specifically the Field Practicum, via digital platforms in Sri Lanka. As a developing nation, Sri Lanka contends with persistent digital inequities, including inadequate infrastructure, unequal technology access, and financial constraints that impede full student participation. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research engaged 350 BSW students and 20 academic and field staff from the National Institute of Social Development (NISD) and the University of Peradeniya. Quantitative survey data were supplemented with qualitative insights from Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Framed by Constructivist Learning Theory, the study evaluated how online environments support or hinder the development and application of social work competencies. Findings revealed that while online education maintained academic continuity and enhanced accessibility for rural and marginalized students, overall satisfaction was moderate, with only 59% rating the experience as effective. Primary challenges included unreliable internet connectivity (74%), high costs of data and devices (60%), and difficulties in replicating hands-on activities like field supervision and role-playing. The study concludes that online learning offers flexibility but cannot fully substitute for the experiential methods central to social work education. It recommends robust policy initiatives, training in digital instruction, enhanced student support, and the creation of a blended model incorporating a specialized Field Practicum Application for remote supervision.