Not all forms of artificial intelligence are perceived equal: AI functions and work outcomes

Abstract

People hold mixed views about adopting artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace – some believe that AI facilitates work processes, while others worry that it poses a threat to the importance of human labor. To address this conundrum regarding how employees feel and behave when AI is applied in their jobs, this study builds upon a typology of perceived AI functions and examines how these functions differentially impact employees’ psychological appraisals and subsequently influence their attitudes and behaviors toward AI adoption. Specifically, AI functions are categorized into assistive AI, augmented AI, and autonomous AI. Drawing from cognitive appraisal theory and threat-rigidity theory, the research proposes that these functions are differentially related to opportunity and threat appraisals, which in turn affect employees’ AI learning behavior and job insecurity. Furthermore, AI self-efficacy is hypothesized to function as a moderator that weakens the effects of augmented and autonomous AI on threat appraisal. Three studies using diverse samples and methodologies provide extensive empirical support for the hypotheses. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.