John MoravecThe future of digital learning communities: Beyond algorithms
The modern internet is aging, and the cracks are showing. For nearly three decades, we have built online spaces rooted in structures that, while groundbreaking at the time, now struggle to serve the ways we live, work, and learn today. The shift toward AI-driven interactions amplifies a core question: Are we leveraging technology to deepen human connection, or are we merely perpetuating systems that commodify our interactions, reducing them to data points optimized for engagement rather than meaningful exchange?
As research from The Verge and Vox Media highlights, we are entering a post-social media era, one where people are moving away from monolithic platforms in favor of smaller, more intentional communities. This transition aligns with a broader movement toward autonomy and self-directed engagement, concepts that have been central to the evolution of knowledge, learning, and human networks. But as brands and platforms attempt to redefine community to retain control, we must ask: Who owns the future of digital spaces?
AI’s rapid evolution is reshaping how we interact online, and its role in communities is both promising and concerning. On one hand, AI can be a powerful tool for facilitating knowledge-sharing, personalizing interactions, and making digital spaces more inclusive. On the other, the research makes one thing clear: people do not want AI to replace human engagement. Nearly half of consumers surveyed prefer communities that do not allow AI-generated content, signaling an increasing desire for authenticity and trust.
This sentiment echoes the deeper shift away from algorithmically optimized engagement, where people are treated as data points, to a model where communities are built on real, meaningful connections. The problem with AI-driven interactions isn’t the technology itself but how it is deployed. If platforms prioritize automation over agency, efficiency over depth, and optimization over human relationships, they risk creating spaces that feel transactional rather than transformational.
For those of us thinking about the future of learning and collaboration, the challenge is clear: How do we design digital environments that enhance human agency rather than diminish it? Instead of merely inserting AI into community-building efforts, we must rethink what community means in an age where artificial intelligence and human intelligence increasingly intersect.
One could conclude the exodus from large social platforms is a direct response to their failure to meet human needs. While these platforms were once lauded for their ability to connect people, they have become engines of manipulation, prioritizing engagement metrics and ad revenue over trust and meaningful interactions. The research highlights that 60% of respondents now view social media negatively, with many feeling trapped in algorithm-driven echo chambers that reinforce divisions rather than foster real connection.
The decline of legacy platforms signals an opportunity to rebuild digital spaces that put human connection first. We are seeing a shift toward niche, purpose-driven communities where trust, shared values, and meaningful interaction are prioritized. Whether through decentralized networks like the fediverse or private, interest-driven groups, the trend is clear: People want to belong, but on their own terms.
This decentralization mirrors a broader transformation in learning and collaboration. Traditional education systems, much like social media, have long been built on hierarchical, one-size-fits-all models that fail to recognize the diverse ways people learn and engage. Just as education must evolve to empower self-directed, knowmadic learners, digital communities must evolve to empower individuals to shape their own experiences, free from the constraints of legacy platforms that view them as commodities.
A new era of digital communities
If we are to redefine community in the AI era, we must shift our focus from passive consumption to active co-creation. The future of digital engagement should not be about how brands or platforms define community, but about how people build communities that reflect their values and needs. This means moving beyond algorithmic manipulation, prioritizing trust and agency, and using technology as a tool for human connection, not as a replacement for it. This shifts learners from roles as consumers toward active prosumers, people who are active in the co-development of their community rather than relying on the algorithm to develop them.
We have the opportunity to reshape digital spaces into ecosystems of knowledge, collaboration, and authentic engagement. The question is not whether we should do it, but how soon can we start?
Some pathways forward:
Develop human-centric AI: AI should serve as an enabler of human connection rather than a replacement for it. Innovators must prioritize AI systems that enhance human agency, providing tools that support meaningful engagement instead of automated interactions that mimic relationships.
Foster decentralized and federated platforms: The shift away from monolithic, corporate-controlled platforms requires investments in decentralized models such as the fediverse. Supporting open-source, interoperable systems will help individuals and communities reclaim digital spaces tailored to their unique needs.
Reimagine digital learning and collaboration: Online communities should be designed as ecosystems of co-learning and knowledge-sharing, fostering spaces where individuals contribute to and co-create meaningful discourse rather than simply consume content.
Prioritize digital trust and safety: The future of digital communities depends on safety, authenticity, and agency. New innovations should focus on ensuring transparent governance, community moderation tools, and better safeguards against misinformation and exploitation.
Empower grassroots innovations: Supporting community-driven solutions rather than top-down platform controls can lead to more dynamic and resilient digital environments. Investment in locally-driven digital hubs and self-organized online communities will pave the way for sustainable, human-first engagement models.
Identify gaps in innovation: We must continuously assess where existing technologies fall short. How can we build AI tools that better facilitate community-driven decision-making? What new governance models will protect user agency? Addressing these gaps will require interdisciplinary collaboration across technology, sociology, and governance.
By embracing these shifts, we can build a digital future that truly empowers individuals, fostering authentic connections and creating spaces that reflect how we live and learn today. This transformation requires intentional efforts from technologists, educators, policymakers, and everyday users to challenge outdated models and advocate for digital ecosystems that serve human needs rather than corporate interests. The path forward involves continuous experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to ethical innovation. If we recognize and act on these opportunities now, we can co-create an internet that prioritizes trust, learning, and meaningful engagement … one where future digital spaces become extensions of our best aspirations rather than reflections of our mistakes.
