The rise of artificial intelligence – understanding the AI identity threat at the workplace

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being increasingly integrated into enterprises to foster collaboration within humanmachine teams and assist employees with work-related tasks. However, introducing AI may negatively impact employees’ identifications with their jobs as AI is expected to fundamentally change workplaces and professions, feeding into individuals’ fears of being replaced. To broaden the understanding of the AI identity threat, the findings of this study reveal three central predictors for AI identity threat in the workplace: changes to work, loss of status position, and AI identity predicting AI identity threat in the workplace. This study enriches information systems literature by extending our understanding of collaboration with AI in the workplace to drive future research in this field. Researchers and practitioners understand the implications of employees’ identity when collaborating with AI and comprehend which factors are relevant when introducing AI in the workplace.