The mental health implications of artificial intelligence adoption: the crucial role of self-efficacy

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in organizations has transformed the nature of work, presenting both opportunities and challenges for employees. This study utilizes several theories to investigate the relationships between AI adoption, job stress, burnout, and self-efficacy in AI learning. A three-wave time-lagged research design was used to collect data from 416 professionals in South Korea. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed mediation and moderation hypotheses. The results reveal that AI adoption does not directly influence employee burnout but exerts its impact through the mediating role of job stress. The results also show that AI adoption significantly increases job stress, thus increasing burnout. Furthermore, self-efficacy in AI learning was found to moderate the relationship between AI adoption and job stress, with higher self-efficacy weakening the positive relationship. These findings highlight the importance of considering the mediating and moderating mechanisms that shape employee experiences in the context of AI adoption. The results also suggest that organizations should proactively address the potential negative impact of AI adoption on employee well-being by implementing strategies to manage job stress and foster self-efficacy in AI learning. This study underscores the need for a human-centric approach to AI adoption that prioritizes employee well-being alongside technological advancement. Future research should explore additional factors that may influence the relationships between AI adoption, job stress, burnout, and self-efficacy across diverse contexts to inform the development of evidence-based strategies for supporting employees in AI-driven workplaces.