AI and the future of industrial work: a framework for enhancing employee experience from satisfaction to flourishing

This conceptual article explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance employee experience in future industrial work environments, with a particular emphasis on promoting employee well-being and work meaningfulness. Drawing upon established theories and schools of thought such as Motivation-Hygiene Theory, Human-Factors and Ergonomics, Self-Determination Theory, and Eudaimonia, the article introduces a three-level framework for AI integration aimed at improving employee satisfaction, engagement, and flourishing. At Level 1, AI assistants are employed to eliminate pain points in work tasks, thereby increasing employee satisfaction. At Level 2, the design focus expands beyond functional improvements to emotional engagement, with AI teammates fostering employees’ work motivation. Finally, at Level 3, AI coaches are introduced to support employees’ sense of purpose, self-worth, and personal growth, advancing toward human flourishing. This interdisciplinary framework shows how AI design can build on the foundations of ergonomics and expand its scope to engaging experiences and even to flourishing, the ultimate level of human well-being.