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Från skärm till själ: Hur vuxna upplever mening, sinnesro och vägledning i appar med både mänskliga funktioner och AI-baserad teknik
Umeå University, Faculty of Arts, Department of historical, philosophical and religious studies.
2025 (Swedish)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE creditsStudent thesisAlternative title
From Interface to Inner Life : Experiencing digital meaning and inner balance in human–AI hybrid applications. (English)
Abstract [en]

This thesis investigates how adults use digital apps as tools for finding meaning, tranquility, and daily reflection, and explores their attitudes toward receiving guidance through these platforms—whether from humans or AI systems. The research centers on spirituality, meditation, and reflection apps within a secular Swedish context where digital spaces are increasingly seen as alternatives for existential support.Data comes from a Microsoft Forms survey of adults aged 18 to 85 and others, which includes questions about age, experience with spiritual or reflective apps, and multiple-choice queries on what makes an app feel meaningful or soothing. Participants also share their perceptions of guidance offered by humans, AI, or both. The study uses reflexive thematic analysis to identify patterns in responses related to digital meaning-making, support, and trust.

The theoretical framework combines research on digital and lived religion, existential well-being, coping strategies, and new discussions about technology's role in providing existential or emotional support. By integrating these perspectives, the thesis aims to deepen our understanding of how adults navigate digital apps in their personal lives and envision the future relationship between human involvement and AI support in apps designed for meaning, calm, and reflection.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025. , p. 65
Keywords [sv]
digital religion; digital mening; existentiellt välbefinnande; appar; AI; mänsklig guidning; mediering; vardagspraktiker
National Category
Religious Studies
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-249396OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-249396DiVA, id: diva2:2035113
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Available from: 2026-02-03 Created: 2026-02-03 Last updated: 2026-02-03Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
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Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
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  • nn-NB
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Output format
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