Research on the impact of artificial intelligence application level on the dual innovation of enterprises

Based on the theory of dual innovation and organizational adaptation, this paper further explored the diverse impact of AI application’s depth and scope on enterprise’s explorative and exploitative innovation, and its mechanism in the competitive situation of different industries. Taking Chinese A-share listed companies during 2008 to 2022 as research sample, the empirical results show that AI application’s depth significantly promotes exploitative innovation, while AI application’s scope significantly promotes explorative innovation. After considering the industrial competition, it is found that in the low-competitive industry, the AI application’s depth has a more significant role in promoting exploitative innovation, and in the high-competitive industry, the AI application’s scope has a more significant role in promoting explorative innovation. The research findings provide scientific basis and practical guidance for enterprises to select AI applications and corresponding innovation pathways.