Research on enterprises’ responses to artificial intelligence from the perspective of opportunity–threat perception

Purpose Artificial intelligence (AI) has brought unprecedented challenges to enterprises. AI is a double-edged sword. The combination of uncontrollable-based threat perception and benefit-based opportunity perception influences the way enterprises respond to AI challenges. Therefore, we investigate the impact of enterprises’ threat and opportunity perception of AI on the rejection and adoption of AI. Moreover, we discuss the moderating effect of redundant resources and entrepreneurial orientation. Design/methodology/approach This study utilised a quantitative design and used a questionnaire to collect data; 280 valid questionnaires were collected from the management of the manufacturing industry, and the research hypotheses were tested using AMOS and Stata software. Findings This study revealed that at low opportunity perception, enterprise threat perception of AI and rejection of AI were positively correlated. At low threat perception, enterprise opportunity perception of AI and adoption of AI were positively correlated. At high threat perception and high opportunity perception, enterprises’ responses were resilient. At this time, redundant resources and entrepreneurial orientation weakened the positive relationship between threat perception of AI and rejection of AI by enterprises, while strengthening the positive relationship between their opportunity perception of AI and adoption of AI. Originality/value This study extends the research on organisational cognition as a precursor to enterprises’ decision-making behaviour under the challenges of AI and provides practical references for enterprises to cope with these challenges.