The wide application of AI in organizational management practices triggers disruptive changes in the workplace, its impact on psychological well-being remains underexplored. Therefore, based on the work requirement-resource model, this paper thoroughly studied the role mechanism of AI usage on employees’ thriving at work. Through a two-stage matched questionnaire, 73 teams with a total of 461 employees were sampled, and the data were analyzed using a multi-level structural equation model. Our findings suggest that AI usage exerts a double-edged sword effect on employees’ thriving at work, mediated by employees’ AI perception. Additionally, digital leadership moderates these relationships across levels. Our findings reveal the mechanism and boundary conditions of AI usage affecting employees’ thriving at work, and offer actionable insights for organizations to balance AI adoption with employee well-being.
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