Impact of Social Media on Geopolitics and Economic Growth: Mitigating the Risks by Developing Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Computing Tools

Abstract

Social media is one of the most revolutionary innovations in computer science that facilitates connecting people in the world to share information, ideas, and thoughts. In recent years, social media has demonstrated tremendous growth, which has affected individuals, businesses, communities, and economies. The focus of the present study is to identify the impact of social media on geopolitics and economic growth. The study is based on a systematic review of previous literature on the subject. It has been revealed through the findings that social media impacts geopolitics by decreasing the level of censorship and increasing the spread of news or information, while it also enables the politicians to influence individuals over online social networks through the great level of access. On the other hand, it has been identified that social media has both positive and negative impacts on geopolitics and economic growth. Social media is able to unite diverse groups and individuals spread across the planet dedicated to specific issues. The formation of communities and the ability of social media to unite groups show how social media could contribute positively to geopolitics and economic growth. But it decreases the productivity level of the individuals; on the other hand, it does contain the potential to create a participatory economy, which can be beneficial for a particular country. Some argue that social sharing has encouraged people to use computers and mobile phones to express their concerns on social issues without actually having to engage actively with campaigns in real life. Their support is limited to pressing the “Like” button or sharing content. This study performs a thorough study selection exercise and a quality assessment to ensure that the present study is valuable to academia and the relevant stakeholders, especially the experts of computer science who can develop the smartest artificial intelligence and cognitive computing tools that can help mitigate those risks of social media for the geopolitically volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world and ensure smooth economic growth.