Dancing with AI: how employee–AI collaboration shapes employee creativity

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between employee–AI collaboration and employee creativity by considering the mediation of skill malleability. This study also investigates AI use anxiety and personal utility of AI as first-stage moderators, drawing on conservation of resources theory and person-context interaction theory. Design/methodology/approach This study utilized data from a two-wave, two-source survey of 328 employees and 66 leaders, employing path analyses to examine the proposed conceptual model. Findings Results indicated that employee–AI collaboration was positively correlated with skill malleability, which then mediated the relationship between employee–AI collaboration and employee creativity. In addition, AI use anxiety and personal utility of AI not only moderated the relationship between employee–AI collaboration and skill malleability but also the indirect link between employee–AI collaboration and employee creativity through the mechanism of skill malleability. Practical implications Organizations can promote employee–AI collaboration to enhance skill malleability and creativity. However, it is important to address AI use anxiety and emphasize the personal benefits of AI to effectively leverage the transmission role of skill malleability in the relationship between employee–AI collaboration and employee creativity. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on employee–AI collaboration and creativity by examining how and when employee–AI collaboration influences employee creativity.