Dr. Khaled Walid Mahmoud
The contemporary world is witnessing an unprecedented transformation in the history of human existence, driven by technology as the most influential force shaping the contours of modern life. Technology is no longer merely a set of tools or auxiliary platforms; it has become a vital agent reconfiguring how humans perceive themselves, the world, and others around them. At the heart of this transformation stand the new generations—not as passive recipients, but as living products of the digital age in all its complexity. Here, we refer specifically to Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) and Generation Alpha (born after 2013), the generations that have grown and developed amid a profound technological shift—one that began with the digital revolution and has intensified with the rise of artificial intelligence.
Generation Z represents a bridge between two worlds: the pre-AI world and a world where algorithms have become daily guides in decision-making. This generation experienced the transitional stages—from paper books to screens, from face-to-face communication to instant messaging, from traditional classrooms to learning via apps and platforms. Generation Alpha, on the other hand, has known nothing but the digital. Born into a world of screens, their first skills are shaped by smart voice assistants, and their initial knowledge is acquired through algorithmically curated content. This generation constitutes a natural laboratory for understanding how the human self can grow within a hybrid environment that blends human and machine, reality and virtuality.
In this context, a new dilemma emerges: the redefined relationship between humans and technology. Technology is no longer fully subject to human will; it has become an invisible partner influencing our choices, behaviors, and even our sense of self and others. Artificial intelligence is no longer just an executor of instructions—it now directs preferences and decisions, filters information, suggests friends, and draws maps of perception and relationships. This deep entanglement between the biological self and the digital self reopens the question of identity: Who am I in a world shaped by algorithms?
Identity, once built through interaction with family, community, school, and local culture, is now vulnerable to reconfiguration by global platforms that impose their own rhythms, languages, and value patterns. The new generations live in parallel virtual worlds that may seem similar on the surface but differ fundamentally in values, relationships, and perceptions. Here lies the danger of what some researchers call the “silent disconnection” between the real human being and their digital image.
Cognitively and psychologically, studies show that despite their high technical proficiency and quick access to information, Generation Z faces real challenges in focus, time management, and real-world social interaction. Numerous psychological reports have revealed high rates of anxiety, sleep disorders, and feelings of loneliness, despite their constant connectivity through digital platforms. As for Generation Alpha—who use smart devices before mastering language—they exhibit new cognitive patterns: digital reflexes and agility, often at the expense of social, linguistic, and emotional skills.
The transformation extends beyond knowledge and behavior to the social dimension. While technology has facilitated global communication, it has simultaneously reduced opportunities for authentic human interaction. Digital bonds have replaced deep relationships, and automated gestures have taken the place of genuine emotion. The paradox is stark: the human is surrounded by a multitude of “digital friends” yet suffers
- The writer is a researcher specialising in cyber politics, holding a PhD on the topic of “Cyberspace and Power Shifts in International Relations.”
The writer is a researcher specializing in cyber politics, holding a PhD on the topic of “Cyberspace and Power Shifts in International Relations.”
