As artificial intelligence becomes deeply embedded in business operations, this instrument challenges how employees complete tasks and how users perceive effort, trust, and purpose. This integration shifts AI from a mere tool to a collaborative partner, prompting firms with high Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) — defined by innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking — to leverage AI as a strategic ally. Leonard Dixon MBA, MS, an instructor at the University of Colorado Denver Business School specializing in the intersection of entrepreneurship and emerging technologies, noted, “Firms with high EO are significantly more likely to adopt AI, seeing it as a necessary driver for success.” These businesses don’t just automate; they engage with AI to co-create solutions, blending analytical precision with human creativity.
But here’s the catch: this partnership isn’t all smooth sailing. AI’s “black box” decision-making process is a lot like the subconscious mind — users see the output, but the how and why behind it is up for debate. It mirrors how little users sometimes understand their thought processes. As Dixon expressed, “AI’s like an Ouija board — it spits out answers, but you’re never 100% sure where they’re coming from.” So, how much do users trust a system that is as vague as their minds? Firms with a higher tolerance for risk lean into this ambiguity, seeing AI as an opportunity. But that discomfort of not fully grasping what’s happening under the hood lingers among many minds.
Beyond trust, AI’s promise of efficiency introduces a paradox: as machines handle more tasks, the sense of fulfillment from overcoming challenges starts to fade. If AI’s doing the heavy lifting, what’s left for the users? This paradox raises some serious existential questions. Sure, innovative firms use AI to unlock new opportunities, but a more profound shift is happening. Businesses must rethink what fulfillment means — from simply checking tasks off a list to finding purpose in what machines can’t do. Users can question, “If everything’s easy, does it even feel like you’ve achieved something?” But that might be the wrong question. Redundant, mundane tasks stifle human creativity. Perhaps removing those tasks using AI creates space for more innovation rather than bottlenecking users’ sense of purpose, as many fear AI will do.
With the advent of the telephone, society debated whether the desire for international travel would decline due to easier communication worldwide. They feared that human connection would be reduced to distant voices, stripping away the richness of face-to-face interaction. But fast forward to today — even after a global pandemic — international travel is as vibrant as ever. The telephone didn’t diminish human connection; it enhanced it, enabling new relationships and business opportunities. Similarly, AI isn’t here to replace our sense of purpose but to reshape it. Just like the telephone opened up the world in unexpected ways, AI has the potential to free us from mundane tasks, making room for deeper creativity and innovation.
The pattern of AI adoption tells users a lot about human nature. Early adopters — the risk-takers and innovators — see AI as a tool for growth. Dixon’s research found that “proactive firms are significantly more likely to integrate AI early, leveraging it to gain a competitive edge.” The late adopters? They’re more cautious, holding on to the familiar. This push-pull between embracing the new and sticking to the familiar is classic human behaviour. Understanding this balance is critical for rolling out tech and managing the cultural and psychological shifts that come with it.
At the end of the day, AI adoption isn’t just a tech upgrade. It’s a philosophical paradigm shift that invites users to rethink workforce roles, how much users trust the unknown in themselves and the world, and what gives them purpose in and outside the workplace.
