The Impact of Artificial Intelligence Technological Depth on the Rhythm of Exploratory Green Innovation

As the intelligent economy increasingly converges with sustainable development, artificial intelligence (AI) is altering the temporal dynamics of firms’ exploratory green innovation. Using data from Chinese manufacturing firms, this study examines the impact of AI technological depth on the rhythm of exploratory green innovation. The findings show that AI technological depth significantly increases the irregularity of exploratory green innovation rhythm, reflected in a more temporally concentrated and uneven distribution of annual innovation output. Patient capital and green media coverage weaken this positive effect. Further analysis indicates that AI technological depth reinforces the common AI technological base, facilitates green knowledge reuse, and enhances the synchronization of green innovation outputs, providing micro-level evidence for the formation of irregular exploratory green innovation rhythm. This study reveals how and under what conditions AI technological depth influences exploratory green innovation rhythm, providing empirical evidence for leveraging AI to support green innovation and optimizing the time allocation of exploratory green innovation activities.