Abstract

The increasing adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace raises concerns about its impact on professionals’ sense of identity and their willingness to use this technology. This study investigates the relationship between AI-induced professional identity threat (PIT) and AI use intention in the workplace. We explore how factors like AI identity, records and information management culture, explainable AI (XAI) as a collaborator, professional experience, and temporal distance, can influence these relationships. Data was collected through an online survey distributed via Google Forms and administered to a sample of 413 records and information management (RIM) professionals within Eastern and Southern Africa. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was conducted using IBM-SPSS-AMOS to analyse the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal that while RIM culture does not significantly affect PIT or AI use intention, XAI and a strong AI identity are crucial in reducing PIT and enhancing AI adoption. Temporal distance was found to exacerbate PIT, especially among expert practitioners and reduce AI use intention among novice practitioners. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of how to mitigate the negative impacts of AI on professional identity and promote its successful adoption within organizations.