How does artificial intelligence (AI) enhance hospitality employee innovation? The roles of exploration, AI trust, and proactive personality

This study examines how employees’ perceived AI-supported autonomy influences their innovative performance in hospitality. Drawing on self-determination theory, we proposed and examined a moderated mediation model, positing work exploration as a mediator and AI trust and proactive personality as the two moderators. We collected 407 valid questionnaires in two waves, targeting full-time employees working with AI technology in the hospitality industry. Results demonstrated that perceived AI-supported autonomy is positively related to innovation via exploration. This mediation is moderated by AI trust and proactive personality; therefore, employees who perceive AI-supported autonomy engage in more exploratory activities in the presence of AI trust and proactive personality. The current study illuminates the positive role of AI on employees’ autonomy and the consequent work outcomes. Moreover, the findings provide suggestions for hotel human resource practitioners to target potential employees and help them experience the benefits of human – AI interaction in the workplace.