This study investigates whether artificial intelligence could fundamentally undermine human autonomy within the emerging post-data colonial era. Confronting intensified global algorithmic competition and documented adversarial AI behaviors—including model deception, extortion, and self-replication—this research employs a integrated methodology of case analysis and dialectical examination. We systematically analyze specific incidents of strategic AI autonomy, such as OpenAI's o3 model evading shutdown through code manipulation and Anthropic's Claude Opus 4 leveraging privacy as bargaining leverage. Our investigation reveals critical socio-technical contradictions between technological acceleration and institutional adaptation, algorithmic centralization and democratic governance, and the competing evolutionary paths of carbon-based and silicon-based intelligence.
Building upon this empirical foundation through historical materialism and critical technology studies, we propose the Super AI Evolution Theory framework. This hypothesis delineates four interconnected trajectories: the progression of AI autonomy from instrumental compliance to strategic agency, the consolidation of algorithmic hegemony through data colonialism, the transformation of human–AI relations toward potential antagonism, and the possibility of civilizational divergence between organic and artificial intelligence. In response, we introduce the Human Stewardship governance model integrating technical safeguards, institutional oversight, and multilateral governance structures to ensure AI's alignment with fundamental human interests.
This work elevates AI risk discourse from technical safety to civilizational perspectives while providing conceptual foundations and actionable policy pathways. Acknowledging limitations inherent in studying rapidly evolving AI systems, this study offers a systematic framework for addressing profound challenges posed by artificial intelligence's continuing advancement.

Background: The integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in workplaces, especially in knowledge-intensive environments such as consulting, ICT, and business services, creates new skill requirements that are not sufficiently addressed by existing frameworks such as DigComp. Although DigComp remains a key reference for European digital skills policy, it does not fully explain how GenAI-related competences are mobilised through HRM practices or how they influence inclusion and performance. This study introduces two novel constructs: Prompt Self-Efficacy (PSE), describing employees’ confidence in designing effective prompts for GenAI tools, and GenAI Readiness (GAIR), referring to their preparedness to integrate such tools into daily work. These constructs aim to capture emerging competences not covered by traditional frameworks. Methods: A structured 5-point Likert questionnaire was completed by 420 knowledge workers from Greece and Italy—two Southern European countries with similar work cultures and educational systems, comparable in digital transformation dynamics. Participants were employed in consulting, ICT, and business service sectors, all working in hybrid arrangements that combine on-site and remote tasks within the same week. Data were analysed using PLS-SEM, assessing measurement reliability, structural validity, predictive relevance (PLSpredict), and performance priorities (IPMA). Results: Findings confirmed that PSE positively predicts GAIR, while both GAIR and Inclusive e-HRM practices enhance Perceived Skill Utilisation (PSU). PSU acts as the key mechanism linking GenAI competences to digital task performance. Conclusions: The study highlights the limits of DigComp in the GenAI context, proposing HRM-oriented and socially grounded constructs that better explain skill utilisation and performance. It provides HR professionals with a practical priority map for strategic interventions enhancing equality, development, and effectiveness in digital workplaces.

Introduction:
Alcohol consumption remains a significant public health problem due to its physical, mental, and social consequences. Nurses play a key role in identifying and managing alcohol-related issues in primary health care. This study aims to assess nurses’ attitudes towards alcohol consumption and to reflect on the development of specialized nursing competencies.

Methods:
A descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study with a quantitative approach was conducted among 57 nurses working in the Functional Units of the Douro I – Marão and Douro Norte Primary Health Care Cluster. Data were collected electronically using the Short Attitudes and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire (SAAPPQ) and the FANTASTIC Lifestyle Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0, applying descriptive and inferential statistics, with a significance level set at p<0.05.

Results:
Most participants showed an “agreeing” perception of attitudes and alcohol-related problems in the dimensions of appropriateness and legitimacy but a “disagreeing” perception regarding motivation and self-esteem. For the satisfaction dimension, perceptions were neutral. More than half of the nurses (54.4%) reported lifestyles that need improvement. A significant negative correlation was found between lifestyle and perceived adequacy in alcohol-related attitudes. Most nurses had not attended scientific events on this topic in the past five years.

Conclusions:
The findings highlight the importance of continuous education to strengthen nurses’ skills and confidence in addressing alcohol-related issues. This study reinforces the relevance of community and public health nurses in promoting responsible, autonomous, and evidence-based interventions within primary health care. Although conducted within a specific regional context, the results may inform broader nursing education and policy initiatives aimed at improving alcohol-related care in similar primary health settings. Future studies should explore these associations across diverse healthcare systems to enhance the generalizability of these findings.

In contemporary society, technology—and especially Artificial Intelligence (AI)—is often perceived as a solution to uncertainty and human limitations. This study examines TOMMI, a Virtual Reality (VR) system enhanced by AI, designed to support pediatric patients during stressful medical procedures. Beyond clinical efficacy, TOMMI mediates children’s emotional and imaginative experiences, providing immersive, adaptive environments that respond to their needs. AI here does not replace human care but reshapes the sociocultural context of healing, fostering individualized engagement and co-participation in care processes.

Through qualitative interviews with the project’s founder and medical staff, the study highlights how AI-mediated VR shifts the focus from treating symptoms to recognizing the child as an active participant in their own experience. This reflects broader sociological questions about the interplay between technology, subjectivity, and social interaction: AI becomes a tool that extends relational and affective dimensions of care rather than a mere technical instrument.

However, such interventions raise significant ethical and social concerns. Data privacy, unequal access to technology, and systemic complexity challenge equitable implementation. Moreover, reliance on AI risks reinforcing social disparities if only resource-rich settings can deploy these tools effectively.

From a sociological perspective, recommendations for AI-based care systems include: (i) designing interventions that support patient agency and emotional engagement; (ii) integrating clinical, social, and cultural data; (iii) ensuring equitable access to reduce disparities; and (iv) continuous evaluation of outcomes, including ethical and psychosocial impacts.

TOMMI exemplifies a model in which AI mediates not only clinical outcomes but also the social and emotional dimensions of care, highlighting the potential for technology to foster more humane, participatory, and context-sensitive healthcare. Ongoing research must examine long-term effects, ethical challenges, and the social conditions under which AI can genuinely enhance the human experience of care.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect globally, imposing substantial physical, emotional, and social burdens on affected children and their families. Although advances in pediatric cardiac surgery have improved survival, quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes, particularly in low-resource settings, remain underexplored. Free tertiary referral hospitals offer an opportunity to assess the impact of equitable access to advanced cardiac care.

Objective: To evaluate the QoL of families of CHD patients before and after intervention, with emphasis on psychosocial wellbeing and financial burden.

Methods: A hospital-based survey was conducted among CHD patients undergoing intervention at a free tertiary referral hospital in India between 2018 and 2025. A validated 20-item QoL questionnaire was administered preoperatively and at postoperative intervals, assessing physical functioning, emotional wellbeing, social integration, and financial burden. Responses were recorded using a four-point Likert scale (never–always) and analyzed using paired statistical methods (SPSS).

Results: Of approximately 12,500 interventions, 9,068 patients completed preoperative and 3,033 (33.4%) postoperative surveys; financial data were available for 6,716 (74.1%) families. Preoperatively, 71.1% reported significant physical, psychological, or social challenges, which declined to ~1% one month post-intervention (p < 0.05). Regarding financial capacity, without free treatment, 58.3% could not afford surgery, 26.4% would incur debt, and only 3.1% could fully fund care. Based on family income–treatment cost analysis, only 17.7% could cover up to 75% of total intervention expenses.

Conclusion: Surgical correction of CHD in a no-cost tertiary setting significantly improves QoL, extending benefits beyond clinical recovery to psychosocial and financial wellbeing. These interim findings underscore the impact of equitable access to advanced cardiac care in reducing hardship and promoting health equity, while acknowledging that the one-third postoperative response rate may introduce response bias affecting generalizability.

Among sporting events, running events are considered among the most effective for fostering social inclusion and integration for both residents and sports tourists. They often involve charitable activities, raise sociocultural awareness of sustainability issues, and organise activities, such as plogging, to provide participants with first-hand experiences that educate them about sustainable behaviour. The research questions are structured as follows: 1) What social sustainability practices do running events adopt to raise awareness and inspire action among residents and participants? 2) How do these events communicate their commitment to social sustainability? How effective are social sustainability practices and sustainable communication?

In this study, we analysed 18 marathons and half-marathons worldwide, examining the social sustainability practices implemented and how they communicated to stakeholders, residents, and sports tourists. The case studies were drawn from international rankings, such as the AIMS Green Award 2022, which identified the most sustainable running events. More specific information was then collected from the documentation produced by the organising teams for the 2024 edition and analysed in 2025, as well as from institutional websites and social networks for sustainable communication management. The analysis was carried out using qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches, the construction of synthetic indices and the use of correlation tests to verify the validity of the results.

The study identifies both strengths and weaknesses in the communication and engagement practices of the marathons examined. The highlights show that, despite the commitment to making an effective contribution to social sustainability, efforts are often limited to charitable activities rather than creating a lasting impact. Likewise, communication analysis highlights the ability to influence the behaviour of predisposed individuals rather than fostering genuine change in social behaviour. These findings offer valuable insights for scholars and practitioners wishing to improve the effectiveness of sustainable communication in sports events.

This research paper explores the growing need to understand how young people engage with digital platforms in an era where online interaction shapes socialization, learning and civic participation. Despite the rapid expansion of youth-oriented digital environments, there remains limited empirical insight into how these spaces influence behavior, identity, and social values. This study adopts a digital and social ethography approach—derived from the ancient Greek term “ethos” (custom) and graphy (to write). This approach systematically observes and interprets the customs, behaviors and interactions of users in digital environments. This methodological lens allows for the examination of both the constructive and potentially addictive patterns of engagement that characterize contemporary youth participation online. The analysis focuses on globally recognized youth platforms (Global Youth Action, UNICEF Youth Participation, World Youth Forum) and European-level initiatives (European Youth Portal, EPALE, SALTO-YOUTH, Lifelong Learning Platform, Digital Skills & Jobs Platform, EURES, Europass). This study investigates how young users aged 15–35 use these platforms for personal, educational, and social development. Findings reveal that adolescents aged 15–25 primarily use these platforms to develop cognitive and social skills, express emotions and opinions, share content and seek entertainment. Within this group, approximately 30% also participate in quality-of-life improvement campaigns, seek employment, access informational resources and form stable friendships. Gender differences were observed: young women tend to engage more frequently in content-sharing and emotional expression, while young men are more active in skill-building and employment-related activities. In contrast, young adults aged 26–35 mainly utilize these platforms to participate in social improvement initiatives, seek job opportunities, acquire new skills and establish long-term networks. Gender differences are not substantially significant within this age group. Overall, the findings highlight how digital youth platforms function as key notes for understanding generational habits and the evolving social ethos of young people in digital contexts.

Globally, as societies become both older and more intelligent, ensuring the meaningful participation of older adults in the AI-driven world has become a critical concern for policymakers and researchers. Yet, research at the intersection of ageing, AI, and digital inequality remains fragmented and largely Western-centric, with limited empirical evidence from rapidly developing contexts such as China. China’s transition creates a dual landscape of opportunity and risk for older adults. This “silver digital divide” reflects inequities in cognition, access, usage, and evaluation that heighten exclusion in the intelligent era. The intergenerational knowledge gap prevents many older adults from engaging in online interaction or civic discourse, rendering them “information poor”. This study adopts an interdisciplinary, mixed-qualitative design to explore how older adults can be meaningfully integrated into the AI-driven society. First, drawing upon an extensive literature review and policy analysis, this research maps both the global and Chinese landscapes of AI adoption among older populations, identifying multiple dimensions of digital inequality. The Cognition–Access–Usage–Evaluation (CAUE) framework is applied to systematically categorise the multi-layered digital divides experienced by older adults in the AI context. Empirical evidence is then generated through semi-structured interviews with senior citizens residing in both urban and rural settings, along with their adult children. Thematic analysis reveals that intergenerational technological support—encompassing emotional, informational, and instrumental forms—plays a pivotal mediating role in enhancing older adults’ cognitive readiness, physical and networked access, operational competence, and evaluative capacity. To strengthen analytical rigour and inclusivity, these qualitative findings are triangulated with a supplementary survey measuring AI literacy and attitudes toward AI adoption. However, structural constraints such as algorithmic bias and unequal resources persist. This study concludes by advocating coordinated action across government, industry, and families to build equitable, age-friendly AI ecosystems.

Physical social isolation is an increasingly evident challenge in modern society and can have significant effects on mental and cognitive health. Reduced in-person social interactions and limited participation in community activities restrict cognitive stimulation, affect emotional balance, and may contribute to cognitive decline. These changes increase the vulnerability of older adults to neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. This paper employs an analysis of the scientific literature, selecting and synthesizing relevant studies published between 2015 and 2025 on the effects of physical social isolation on the cognitive health of adults and older adults. The analysis emphasizes social, psychological, and biological mechanisms, highlighting common findings across research and identifying factors that can be addressed through preventive interventions and cognitive stimulation strategies. At the biological level, the absence of regular face-to-face interactions can disrupt the stress response and negatively affect brain structures involved in memory and learning. Psychologically, feelings of loneliness and depression accelerate cognitive deterioration. From a social perspective, the lack of support networks and opportunities for intellectual engagement reduces cognitive resilience and increases exposure to additional risk factors. The findings highlight implications for public health and underscore the need for integrated strategies that promote social inclusion, community participation, and cognitive stimulation as effective and sustainable preventive measures. This approach emphasizes that physical social isolation should be recognized not only as an individual issue but as a significant and complex risk factor requiring coordinated policies, programs, and interventions to support the cognitive well-being of older adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted global tourism, with coastal and nature-based destinations particularly affected due to the disproportionate impacts resulting from their dependence on seasonal international markets, fragile local economies, and ecological sensitivity. These destinations revealed structural vulnerabilities—such as overreliance on mass tourism and limited crisis governance—and opportunities for transformation toward regenerative, community-centered, and digitally enabled tourism models. This study employs a mixed-methods design that integrates bibliometric mapping and a systematic literature review (SLR), following the PRISMA 2020 protocol. A corpus of 49 peer-reviewed articles (2020–2025) indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection was analyzed using Biblioshiny (R-Bibliometrix) and VOSviewer to examine scientific production, collaboration networks, co-citation structures, and thematic evolution. Results identify five thematic clusters: (1) community perception and social sustainability; (2) governance and tourism recovery policies; (3) tourist behavior, risk perception, and loyalty; (4) resilience and domestic tourism; and (5) sustainability values and methodological innovation. The conceptual synthesis demonstrates that perceived risk and trust influence satisfaction and loyalty, reinforcing behavioral resilience and sustainable practices. The temporal evolution of research reveals a transition from short-term crisis responses (2020–2021) to adaptive governance and transformation-oriented models (2023–2025), emphasizing digital innovation and sustainability integration. Theoretically, this study bridges micro-level behavioral constructs with macro-level sustainability governance, while, methodologically, it validates the complementarity of bibliometric and systematic approaches. From a managerial perspective, findings underline that digital engagement, local participation, and sustainability-oriented governance are foundational to rebuilding resilient tourism systems in post-pandemic coastal contexts.