ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND BLOCKCHAIN IN THE DIGITAL SOCIETY: GOVERNANCE, SECURITY, AND CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Among the most influential technologies that predetermine the current digital society, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain have emerged as fast as the digitalization of technologies. This review examines the conceptual and practical implications and applications of AI and blockchain with particular attention to how the two can be used in the framework of digital governance, cybersecurity, and socio-cultural change. The analysis synthesizes existing literature to explore how AI enhances data processing, predictive analytics, and automated decision-making, while blockchain strengthens transparency, decentralization, and data integrity in digital systems. Their integration is shown to support more efficient governance frameworks, improved policy decision-making, secure digital infrastructures, and reliable identity management. At the same time, the review highlights broader societal impacts, including changes in digital trust, ownership structures, and creative and media industries. Despite these opportunities, several challenges remain, including governance fragmentation, ethical concerns, privacy risks, and limitations related to interoperability and institutional readiness. New research directions are also outlined in the form of trustworthy and explainable AI, sustainable technological infrastructures, and the adoption of AI and blockchain systems of Web3 and decentralized digital ecosystems. Altogether, AI and blockchain convergence is an important change in the structure of the digital space, and it will need harmonized governance structures and responsible innovation to establish safe, transparent and inclusive digital societies.