This research investigates the transformative implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered technologies on communication behaviors among young adults aged 18 to 25. As this demographic navigates a digital ecosystem increasingly shaped by smart devices, conversational agents, and machine learning systems, traditional communication frameworks struggle to capture evolving behavioral patterns. Anchored in Berlo’s SMCR (Source-Message-Channel-Receiver) communication model, this study critically assesses the model’s applicability in the age of AI and proposes a revised communication framework that reflects contemporary technological realities. Using a qualitative methodology, the study draws on semi-structured interviews with young adults in Torrance, California, exploring themes around digital overload, social-emotional challenges, and shifts in communication preferences. The findings reveal that AI-integrated environments significantly impact attention spans, interpersonal relationships, emotional regulation, and decision-making. Moreover, excessive screen time and reliance on digital communication channels have raised concerns regarding mental well-being, physical health, and digital citizenship. This research contributes a remodeled SMCR framework that incorporates feedback loops, emotional intelligence, ethical considerations, and multi-platform digital channels, offering business leaders, educators, and policymakers’ actionable insights into the future of workplace and interpersonal communication. The revised model equips organizations to design inclusive, adaptive, and responsible communication strategies that align with the behavioral and technological needs of digital-native young professionals. The study emphasizes the urgency for businesses to realign communication systems with AI’s growing role in human interaction to foster resilience, collaboration, and ethical engagement in professional settings.

Authors:
Thilini Mendis, Westcliff University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Thilini Chethana Mendis, Software Engineer at Meta Inc., specializes in data analytics and AI ethics. Her current projects focus on AI learning analytics and privacy-preserving data systems in higher education.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thilini-c-mendis-phd-b44b40276

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