Kim, B., Kim, M., & Lee, J. (2025).
Humanities and Social Sciences
Communications, 12(1).
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into business practices, fundamentally altering workplace dynamics and employee experiences. While the adoption of AI brings numerous benefits, it also introduces negative aspects that may adversely affect employee well-being, including psychological distress and depression. Drawing upon a range of theoretical perspectives, this study examines the association between organizational AI adoption and employee depression, investigating how psychological safety mediates this relationship and how ethical leadership serves as a moderating factor. Utilizing an online survey platform, we conducted a 3-wave time-lagged research study involving 381 employees from South Korean companies. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that AI adoption has a significant negative impact on psychological safety, which in turn increases levels of depression. Data were analyzed using SPSS 28 for preliminary analyses and AMOS 28 for structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation. Further analysis using bootstrapping methods confirmed that psychological safety mediates the relationship between AI adoption and employee depression. The study also discovered that ethical leadership can mitigate the adverse effects of AI adoption on psychological safety by moderating the relationship between these variables. These findings highlight the critical importance of fostering a psychologically safe work environment and promoting ethical leadership practices to protect employee well-being amid rapid technological advancements. Contributing to the growing body of literature on the psychological effects of AI adoption in the workplace, this research offers valuable insights for organizations seeking to address the human implications of AI integration. The section discusses the practical and theoretical implications of the results and suggests potential directions for future research.
Here are some thoughts:
This study examines the often-overlooked psychological risks associated with the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, with a specific focus on employee depression. The research proposes that the integration of AI can negatively impact employee mental health by undermining psychological safety—the shared belief that one can speak up, ask questions, or voice concerns without fear of negative consequences. The introduction of AI creates significant uncertainty regarding job roles, security, and required skills, which makes the work environment feel less safe for interpersonal risk-taking. This erosion of psychological safety is identified as a key mechanism that subsequently increases the risk of depression among employees.
Importantly, the study highlights that ethical leadership can serve as a critical protective factor. Leaders who demonstrate integrity, transparency, and fairness, and who actively involve employees in the transition process, can buffer the negative impact of AI adoption on psychological safety. By reducing uncertainty and fostering a climate of trust, ethical leaders help maintain a supportive environment even during significant technological change.
For mental health professionals, these findings underscore that workplace technological advancements are not merely operational shifts but are also potent psychosocial stressors. The study emphasizes the need for organizations to proactively cultivate psychologically safe climates and develop ethical leadership capabilities to safeguard employee well-being during the AI integration process.
