# Autonomous enhancement or emotional depletion? The dual-path mechanism of AI usage on employees’ work behavior

## TL;DR

This study shows how using AI at work can both boost creativity and cause burnout, depending on how it's managed.

## Contribution

It introduces a dual-path model explaining AI's contrasting effects on employee behavior through self-determination and emotional exhaustion.

## Key findings

- AI usage increases innovative work behavior by enhancing self-determination.
- AI usage can lead to work disengagement through emotional exhaustion caused by technostressors.
- Leaders' AI symbolization moderates both positive and negative effects of AI on employees.

## Abstract

As a core driver of social progress, artificial intelligence (AI) has a far-reaching impact on employee behavior in the workplace. A dual-path model based on the SOR theory reveals the dual effects of AI usage. A four-stage longitudinal study analyzed data from 285 finance professionals, showing that AI usage can both boost innovative work behavior by enhancing sense of self-determination and predict work disengagement behavior via the emotional exhaustion elicited by AI-associated technostressors. Leaders’ AI symbolization plays a key moderating role, strengthening AI’s positive effect on sense of self-determination and lessening its negative impact on emotional exhaustion. This research offers theoretical and practical guidance for organizations to improve employee management strategies.