Between Inclusion and Isolation: The Influence of Social Media Algorithms on Intercultural Education and Equity

Abstract

As social media increasingly dominate human interactions, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in determining the integration processes of immigrant students in host societies has become a central theme in educational research. This study sheds light on the dual influence of social media algorithms on the integration of immigrant students within the Greek educational context. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 102 educators in order to examine their perceptions of AI as either a bridge or a barrier to inclusion. Data reveal a lack of consensus concerning the effectiveness of AI to create bonds between immigrant students and members of the local school community, with a significant percentage of respondents remaining neutral, suggesting that the influence of algorithms is often invisible.  Analysis of the data further reveals that even though algorithms can facilitate integration by exposing users to diverse content, they can also reinforce stereotypes by creating filter bubbles. Educators expressed concerns about data privacy, the spread of misinformation, and the dissemination of xenophobic narratives resulting from the presence of AI in the digital world. The study concludes that for AI to foster inclusion, systemic changes are needed, including content moderation and diverse representation. The importance of this study lies in its ability to reveal the hidden digital barriers that often impede students’ integration in educational settings. These findings can have direct applications for educational policies, highlighting the need for AI-specific digital literacy training for educators and the development of more transparent algorithmic curation.