Starting with trust: unraveling the impact of AI trust on employee digital performance

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between AI trust (AIT) and employee digital performance (EDP), with employee–AI collaboration (EAC) as a mediator. Additionally, the study examines how digital self-efficacy (DSE) moderates this process. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted a multi-wave questionnaire survey among 210 employees in China. Statistical analyses were conducted using AMOS 24 and the PROCESS macro in SPSS 27. Findings AIT has a positive relationship with EAC; EAC mediates the relationships between AIT and digital-enabled task performance (DETP) as well as between AIT and digital-enabled innovation performance (DEIP); DSE positively moderates the relationship between AIT and EAC, while also positively moderating the mediating role of EAC in the relationships between AIT and both dimensions of EDP. Originality/value Utilizing self-determination theory, this study constructs a moderated mediation model between AIT and EDP, revealing that EAC serves as a critical mechanism facilitating the transition from trust to performance enhancement. Additionally, the study identifies the significant boundary role played by employees’ DSE.