How can empowering leadership foster employee–AI collaboration? A multilevel analysis of AI trust and psychological safety

Abstract

Purpose The growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the workplace underscores the urgent need to understand how employees collaborate effectively with AI systems. Grounded in social cognitive theory, this study investigates the impact of empowering leadership on employee–AI collaboration. Furthermore, we examine the mediating roles of psychological safety and AI trust. Design/methodology/approach To test the research model, we utilized a multilevel design data from 418 employees across 103 teams in AI-integrated organizations in Vietnam. Findings Our findings indicate that empowering leadership is positively related to employee–AI collaboration, with this relationship mediated by both psychological safety and AI trust. Originality/value This study contributes to the leadership and technology management literature by establishing a multilevel link between empowering leadership and employee–AI collaboration. It identifies key mediating mechanisms (AI trust and psychological safety), offering a more integrated understanding of leadership influence in AI-enabled settings. Practically, the findings offer actionable insights for practitioners navigating the dynamics of employee–AI collaboration, highlighting the importance of empowering leadership in building AI-ready workforces.