Open Access

ARTICLE

Does artificial intelligence (AI) anxiety increase employees’ deviant behavior toward the organization? The role of emotional exhaustion and leadership support

Chengcheng Sha, Lin Wang, Xiaolei Pan^*

Department of Economics and Trade, Guangxi Eco-Engineering Vocational & Technical College, Liuzhou, 545003, China

* Corresponding Author: Xiaolei Pan. Email:

Journal of Psychology in Africa 2025, 35(2), 207-214. https://doi.org/10.32604/jpa.2025.065761

Received 13 October 2024; Accepted 30 December 2024; Issue published 30 June 2025

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between AI anxiety and deviant behavior, as well as the roles of emotional exhaustion and leader support in this context. The sample comprised 381 Chinese e-commerce employees (72.7% female, age range 21–36 years). The results of the Process model analysis indicate that AI anxiety significantly is associated with higher deviant behaviour. Emotional exhaustion partially mediates this relationship between AI anxiety and employee deviant behavior exacerbating deviant behaviour. Leader support moderates the AI anxiety effect on emotional exhaustion such that when leader support is low. AI anxiety is associated with higher emotional exhaustion among employees. By implication, high levels of leader support can alleviate AI anxiety of employees. Employer organizations should provide appropriate guidance when introducing AI technology to prevent AI anxiety and associated emotional exhaustion and deviant behavior.

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Keywords

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