Psychological Constructs Underlying Work Identity in AI-Augmented Labor
Keywords:
Work identity, artificial intelligence, psychological impact, qualitative research, emotional adaptation, professional roles, organizational supportAbstract
This study aimed to examine the psychological constructs shaping work identity among professionals engaged in AI-augmented labor contexts. This qualitative research employed a phenomenological approach to understand the lived experiences of 20 professionals from various sectors in Turkey who actively work with AI-integrated systems. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diverse representation across occupations such as healthcare, education, finance, and manufacturing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. Each interview lasted between 45 and 75 minutes and was transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework, and NVivo software facilitated the systematic coding and categorization of emerging themes related to work identity, emotional responses, and social dynamics. Analysis revealed three overarching themes: identity transformation through AI, emotional landscape of AI-augmented work, and relational and social reconfiguration. Participants reported renegotiating their professional roles in response to AI's presence, with some experiencing identity loss due to the erosion of traditional skills, while others reconstructed their identity through new technical tasks. Emotionally, participants expressed anxiety, stress, and insecurity, but also curiosity and motivation depending on their perceived control and institutional support. Socially, the presence of AI shifted team dynamics, introduced new authority structures, and reshaped peer comparisons. Adaptive identity responses were strongly associated with supportive organizational cultures and opportunities for human-AI collaboration. AI-augmented work environments profoundly influence psychological experiences of identity, emotional well-being, and social positioning. Organizations seeking successful AI integration must not only provide technical training but also foster identity-supportive practices that promote emotional resilience, autonomy, and meaningful role evolution.
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