Autonomy- Versus Dependency-Oriented AI Usage and Their Differential Effects on Employee Creativity

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly prevalent in employees’ daily work, employees have two paradoxical tendencies when using it: a desire to maintain their agency to avoid being replaced by AI, and an inclination to rely on AI to reduce their cognitive burdens. This tension gives rise to two approaches to AI usage in the workplace: autonomy-oriented and dependency-oriented. Specifically, autonomy-oriented AI usage refers to employees utilizing AI to assist them in better performing their tasks autonomously, whereas dependency-oriented AI usage involves employees relying on AI and uncritically adopting its outputs to complete their tasks. Study 1, conducted with 300 employees across various industries in China, develops valid measures for these two approaches to AI usage. Moreover, we draw upon self-determination theory to explore whether and how these two approaches to AI usage exert differential effects on employee creativity. Study 2, using three-wave field data from 113 leader-follower dyads, shows that autonomy-oriented AI usage enhances employee creativity via autonomy need satisfaction, whereas dependency-oriented usage does not. By doing so, this research advances the literature on AI usage and offers practical guidance for managers and employees on how to effectively use AI at work.