The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for artificial intelligence practitioners: the decrease in tacit knowledge sharing

Purpose This study aims to contribute by showing that although artificial intelligence (AI) practitioners have been faster to adapt, redefine and improve their remote working performance for routine tasks, they have instead decreased their tacit knowledge sharing and ability to perform extra tasks and manage the diverse time allocation. Design/methodology/approach Based on a grounded theory study of 57 in-depth interviews, conducted before the outbreak of the pandemic and after, this study investigates how remote work as a pandemic response measure affected AI practitioners. Findings Although remote working was a reality for AI practitioners before the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall remote working restrictions appear to have affected tacit knowledge sharing between AI practitioners, with a consequent negative impact on AI project output diversity. Originality/value The interactions of AI practitioners are partly embedded in AI tools and partly in human exchange. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these interactions appear to have become more obvious, even if the consequences have been unforeseen.