printAlternate Sociality:
Theoretical Reflections
Rezaev А.V.
Dr. Sci. (Philos.), Prof., Prof. of Philosophy, Tashkent State University of Economics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan rezaev@hotmail.com
Tregubova N.D.
Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Assoc. Prof., Chair of Comparative Sociology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia n.tregubova@spbu.ru
Rezaev А.V., Tregubova N.D. Alternate Sociality: Theoretical Reflections. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2025. No 11. P. 13-24
The extraordinary expansion of AI instruments into everyday life nowadays shapes the development of social relations and interactions, which require new conceptual approaches and new research questions in the social sciences. The aim of this paper is to consider ‘alternate sociality’ as a conceptual tool for social science research in the age of AI. In the paper’s opening, the authors define ‘artificial sociality’, address opposing viewpoints and provide their own position. They determine ‘artificial sociality’ to be the most significant aspect of ‘alternate sociality’. The concept of ‘alternate sociality’ refers to the relationships formed between individuals engaged in joint activities, not only with other people but also with AI agents. These AI agents, designed by humans, effectively imitate goaloriented rational behavior and have the potential to either strengthen or undermine social relationships. In what follows, the article discusses two key conditions for the emergence of ‘alternate sociality’ – the emergence of non-biological intelligent agents and ‘the great rewiring’ of social relations in the online environment. Further on, the authors illustrate the development of ‘alternate sociality’ in four key areas of human life: romantic relationships, death, education, and health care. The article concludes by highlighting the correlation between sociality and ‘alternate sociality’. The authors assert that the dynamics of ‘alternate sociality’ are marked by significant unpredictability in the development of relational systems. This unpredictability is a direct result of the rapid expansion of computer-generated information and the increasing frequency of interactions among AI algorithms. The final section of the paper outline new directions and opportunities for theoretical understanding of ‘alternate sociality’.
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