AI identity threat at work: Longitudinal investigation of worth-, competence-, and authenticity-based AI identity threats among Finnish workers

This longitudinal survey study examines AI identity threat among Finnish workers and the factors associated with reduced AI identity threat, including worth-, competence- and authenticity-based dimensions. While AI is integrating into work life and professional roles, AI identity threat may lead to AI resistance but also adverse psychological effects at work. AI identity threat describes how employees perceive threats to their professional identity due to AI integration at work. Previous studies have found predictors of AI identity threat such as changes to work, loss of status position, perceived temporal distance of AI changes, properties of AI technology, or anticipated replacement by AI systems (Mirbabaie et al., 2020; Shonhe & Min, 2025; Zhou et al., 2025). Yet there is a need for more comprehensive understanding of the antecedents of AI identity threat. This research aims to examine psychological and social factors that are associated with the degree workers experience AI related identity threat. Drawing from self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000; 2017) and work well-being research, we particularly investigate satisfaction of technology related basic psychological needs and social support at work as potential factors that might be associated with lower AI identity threat. Moreover, we examine if positive AI attitudes, AI competence and the frequency of AI usage at work play a significant role in AI identity threat over time. With distinct worth-, competence-, and authenticity-based identity threat dimensions, we will examine whether these dimensions are associated with predictors to different degrees.