Let it go and embrace something new: How goal reengagement capacities moderate the effect of interacting with artificial intelligence on career optimism

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly entering the workplace, changing the way people work and affecting their careers. This integration raises critical questions about the capabilities employees need to maintain a positive outlook on the rise of AI and the future of their career. We explore how goal reengagement capacities shape the impact of human-AI interaction. In two experimental studies, we develop a moderated mediation model in which goal reengagement capacities moderate the path from AI interaction (vs. a control group) through perceived threat of AI to career-related optimism. Using two experimental studies with students (N = 355) and full-time employees (N = 186), we show that individuals' goal reengagement capacities moderate the indirect relationship between AI interaction and career-related optimism via perceived threat of AI, such that this indirect effect is negative for those with low goal reengagement capacities and positive for those with high goal reengagement capacities. Our findings underscore the value of letting go of previously held goals and embracing new ones as AI reshapes the world of work, and highlight goal reengagement capacities as critical for maintaining career optimism in an AI-transformed workplace.