What does this research mean for the field?

Employee dependence on generative AI has an inverted U-shaped relationship with innovation performance, which is mediated by thriving at work and moderated by mindfulness. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.ESTABLISHES_NEW_DIRECTION.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To conceptualize employee dependence on generative artificial intelligence, develop and validate a psychometric measurement scale, and assess its curvilinear relationship with workplace innovation performance.

September 5, 2026BMC PsychologyOpen Access

The double-edged sword of generative AI dependence: scale development and its curvilinear impact on employee innovation

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To conceptualize employee dependence on generative artificial intelligence, develop and validate a psychometric measurement scale, and assess its curvilinear relationship with workplace innovation performance.
Conducted an abductive grounded-theory qualitative analysis using interviews with knowledge workers (N = 24).
Developed and psychometrically evaluated a 20-item scale across three survey rounds (N = 233, N = 271, and N = 269) using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, omega coefficients, and HTMT ratios.
Tested curvilinear and moderated mediation models via a three-wave time-lagged survey (N = 342) analyzed with hierarchical regression and the MEDCURVE macro.
Identified a 20-item instrument measuring three dimensions of dependence—instrumental, psychological, and cognitive—with validated reliability and structural validity.
Demonstrated an inverted U-shaped relationship between generative AI dependence and employee innovation performance that is mediated by thriving at work, with the turning point located within the observed range.
Revealed that mindfulness acts as a buffer by flattening the downward curvilinear slope and shifting the turning point to the right, while turning points appeared progressively earlier from instrumental to cognitive dependence.

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Implication

Mixed-methods study reveals an inverted U-shaped relationship between generative AI dependence and employee innovation, indicating that excessive reliance impairs creativity.

Cite This Study

Chai et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4046b95aff0620eb559 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-026-05530-1

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Implication

Mixed-methods study reveals an inverted U-shaped relationship between generative AI dependence and employee innovation, indicating that excessive reliance impairs creativity.

The double-edged sword of generative AI dependence: scale development and its curvilinear impact on employee innovation

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

The double-edged sword of generative AI dependence: scale development and its curvilinear impact on employee innovation

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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