Generative artificial intelligence as a technological and sociocultural phenomenon; a philosophical and methodological analysis

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive philosophical and methodological analysis of generative artificial intelligence (AI) as a technological, epistemological, and socio-cultural phenomenon. The study aims to identify the key features of generative AI development, assess its risks and limitations, and determine its impact on human cognitive abilities, educational practices, and social interaction. The research employs historical and system-structural analysis, as well as synthesis, comparison, and juxtaposition, to examine the evolution of generative AI and its contemporary applications. Despite substantial technical progress, many aspects of generative AI remain insufficiently explored, particularly its influence on education, human cognition, and societal relationships, highlighting the relevance of further interdisciplinary investigation. The scientific novelty of this research lies in the integrated approach that combines philosophical reflection, technical analysis, and socio-cultural assessment of the phenomenon. The main results include a detailed account of the historical formation of generative AI, the architectural evolution of generative models and the current directions of technological development. Particular attention is given to the technological foundations of generative AI, including deep learning mechanisms, large-scale training, model specialization, knowledge distillation, reinforcement learning from human feedback, and prompt engineering as a new form of human–machine interaction. The study examines key epistemological limitations of generative AI, ethical and legal challenges associated with opaque training processes, potential copyright violations, data privacy risks, manipulative uses of AI technologies, and their possible misuse in information warfare and cybercrime. The study explores the impact of generative AI on human cognition and social structures. The increasing human-like characteristics of AI systems further blurs the boundary between human and machine interaction, raising concerns about emotional attachment, the potential replacement of genuine social relationships, and the alteration of patterns of interpersonal communication. The article argues that despite its high computational complexity and functional efficiency, contemporary AI cannot be regarded as a full-fledged subject of cognition within philosophical and humanistic discourse. It lacks intentionality, self-awareness, volition, affective experience, and the autonomous capacity to generate meaning. Generative AI exhibits apparent intelligence, yet its reasoning is algorithmic and derivative, lacking genuine understanding. The study analyzes technical limitations of AI development and concludes that the long-term consequences of the widespread implementation of generative artificial intelligence remain uncertain; therefore, humanitarian reflection, legal regulation, and responsible governance of the further development of generative systems are necessary.