Séances de la conférence

This session welcomes inquiries into the intertwined narratives of work, leisure, media, time, and technology, notably against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to explore the shifting digital landscape where the boundaries between work, leisure, and social connections have been redrawn. This session aims to spark discussions on the contemporary challenges and transformations in the post-pandemic world, setting a platform for future explorations. We anticipate engaging contributions that dissect the complex interplay of media, technology, work, and leisure, shedding light on the evolving social dynamics in these uncertain times.

This session welcomes inquiries into the intertwined narratives of work, leisure, media, time, and technology, notably against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to explore the shifting digital landscape where the boundaries between work, leisure, and social connections have been redrawn. This session aims to spark discussions on the contemporary challenges and transformations in the post-pandemic world, setting a platform for future explorations. We anticipate engaging contributions that dissect the complex interplay of media, technology, work, and leisure, shedding light on the evolving social dynamics in these uncertain times.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be understood as “systems designed by humans that, given a complex goal, act in the physical or digital world by perceiving their environment, interpreting the collected structured or unstructured data, reasoning on the knowledge derived from this data and deciding the best action(s) to take to achieve the given goal” (European Commission’s High-level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence, 2018). Doubtlessly, the rapid development of increasingly sophisticated AI systems has great potential to transform many aspects of human life. While AI has many benefits (e.g., operational efficiency through task automation, informed decision making based on data analysis, assistance in medical diagnostics and management of treatment), there are also drawbacks (e.g., job displacement, ethical concerns about bias and invasion of privacy, security risks of being hacked, a lack of human-like empathy and creativity) (Duggal, 2023). In light of the growing public concern about the role of artificial intelligence in daily life (Tyson & Kikuchi, 2023), this session invited papers that explore attitudes toward artificial intelligence based on empirical research.

The sociology of knowledge explores the creation and representation of reality and social life, including organizational, practical, historical, cultural, and embodied knowledge, as well as beliefs, myths, facts, customs, routines, identities, and more. This session explores the processes through which knowledge, knowing and not-knowing are created and experienced. Papers focus on the interactions, mediums, and community structures which shape knowledge and its legitimacy, including the role of emotions, recognition of experience, and the perceived status and relevance of knowledge actors.

The sociology of knowledge explores the creation and representation of reality and social life, including organizational, practical, historical, cultural, and embodied knowledge, as well as beliefs, myths, facts, customs, routines, identities, and more. This session explores how knowledge actors and practices shape social structures and beliefs in societies. Papers explore the role of academics, politicians, governments, and researchers in shaping both the content of knowledge, and organizational structures and practices that reify knowledge.