From Perception to Action: Empowering AI-Human-Centric Project Management Through the Mediating Role of Consumer Trust

The progression of artificial intelligence (AI) has profoundly changed the landscape of project management, highlighting the necessity for testing dynamics associated with technology adoption. Although the technology acceptance model (TAM) is extensively utilized to evaluate perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) regarding adoption intention, there exists a lack of studies investigating the mediating role of consumer trust within the context of human-centric project management. This study examines the relationship between PU, PEOU, trust, and AI adoption intention. Based on the TAM framework, this study proposes a research model that integrates trust as a significant mediating variable. This study uses A quantitative methodology, utilizing survey data gathered from a sample of 225 randomly selected hospital respondents throughout the United Arab Emirates. The analysis was conducted applying Partial Least Squares Structural Equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results depict that PU and PEOU significantly influence trust, which subsequently impacts adoption intention. Trust partially mediates the relationship between PU, PEOU, and AI adoption, reinforcing its role in mitigating uncertainty and promoting acceptance. These findings offer critical insights for technology developers, project managers, and policymakers, highlighting the importance of transparency and trust-building in AI systems to drive adoption. This study extends TAM literature by incorporating consumer trust as a mediating factor, offering a comprehensive assessment of AI acceptance in human-centric project management.