Employee Acceptance in AI adoption : An exploratory study on the key factors organizations should consider for the acceptance of AI by employees

Sammanfattning

Introduction: The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within industrial settings hasintroduced transformative changes in human-machine collaboration. This thesis investigatesemployee acceptance of AI, focusing on the key factors influencing human-machinecollaboration during AI adoption in industrial environments. The study aims to provideactionable insights for organizations to enhance employee acceptance, emphasizing thealignment of human skills with AI capabilities. Problem Discussion: As AI continues to revolutionize industrial operations, challenges ariserelated to employee acceptance, skill gaps, and the perceived threat to job security. The rapidintegration of AI without adequate training and communication often leads to resistance anduncertainty among employees. This study examines how frameworks like TAM, UTAUT, andSTS, can guide the successful adoption of AI by addressing these challenges. Purpose and Research Question: The purpose of this research is to understand the criticalfactors that organizations must consider to foster employee acceptance of AI adoption. Theprimary research question addressed is: 'What key factors should organizations consider foremployee acceptance to ensure AI adoption in industrial settings?' Methodology: A qualitative, exploratory approach was used, focusing on expert interviewswith academic researchers. The data were analyzed through thematic analysis, emphasizingthemes such as employee interaction, training and reskilling, equity in AI implementation, andlegal and ethical governance. Results: The study identified that early involvement of employees, transparent communication,continuous training, and clear governance frameworks significantly enhance AI acceptance.Moreover, addressing job impact concerns and involving employees in AI developmentprocesses contribute to a more inclusive and supportive integration. Conclusion & Discussion: Successful AI adoption in industrial settings requires not onlytechnological integration but also a human-centric approach that fosters collaboration and trust.Organizations should prioritize communication, skill enhancement, and ethical governance toachieve sustainable human-AI collaboration.