AI Identity Threats and Reinforcement in Organizations: A Theoretical Model of Professional Role Identity Implications

Abstract

The ever-increasing dissemination of artificial intelligence (AI) and the increasing trend for natural interaction with humans holds significant potential to influence professionals’ identity. There is conflicting evidence in literature for the reinforcing as well as threatening effect of AI on identity. We investigate implications of AI on the identification process of professionals in organizations. Based on the extant literature, we develop a nuanced framework that clusters AI identity shaped by positive identification, anti-identification, dis-identification, and ambivalent identification. Based on these results, we formulate propositions on AI identity for future research.