AI-induced behaviors: bridging proactivity and deviance through motivational insights

Purpose Drawing on the approach-avoidance framework, this paper examines the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) usage on employee proactive behavior and deviant behavior by focusing on the mediating role of AI-related approach motivation and AI-related avoidance motivation. Design/methodology/approach Time-lagged data were collected using a field survey research design. The participants included 587 employees from over a dozen Internet companies, technology firms, intelligent medical and smart city companies in Beijing and Hebei, China. Findings AI usage is positively related to both AI-related approach motivation and AI-related avoidance motivation. In addition, AI-related approach motivation mediates the positive relationship between AI usage and proactive behavior, AI-related avoidance motivation mediates the positive relationship between AI usage and deviant behavior. Originality/value First, this paper examines the double-edged sword effect of AI usage, reconciling the contradictory findings in previous research and providing a more comprehensive and balanced perspective for understanding the impacts of AI usage on employees. Second, this paper identified proactive behavior and deviant behavior as two novel outcomes of AI usage. Third, this paper further extends the application of the approach-avoidance framework in the management literature.