Location
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hawaii
Event Website
https://hicss.hawaii.edu/
Start Date
7-1-2025 12:00 AM
End Date
10-1-2025 12:00 AM
Description
With the advent of Generative AI (GenAI) and its application in various industries, research has begun to show how this new technology might impact aspects such as teamwork, perceived productivity, and the nature of work tasks. However, there remains a lack of studies investigating the emotional dimensions of GenAI use, particularly the affective experiences that emerge from employing such tools. This study explores the potential of GenAI tools to enhance employee flourishing in a workplace context. Through interviews with 30 individuals across four tech-intensive companies, we investigate how these tools not only provide new possibilities for work practices but also elicit positive affective experiences among users. Drawing on affect studies and affordance theory, this paper suggests that GenAI’s serendipitous nature and ability to streamline mundane tasks can enhance operational capabilities while inspiring a dynamic interplay of anticipation and excitement. Our findings indicate that the integration of GenAI introduces novel affective affordances that can potentially enhance workplace flourishing, thereby augmenting the traditional understanding of user-tool interaction in professional environments.
Recommended Citation
Barbala, Astri; Ulfsnes, Rasmus; Wivestad, Viggo; and Stray, Viktoria, "Generative AI in the Workplace: Affective Affordances and Employee Flourishing" (2025). Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 2025 (HICSS-58). 5.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/hicss-58/os/human_flourishing/5
Generative AI in the Workplace: Affective Affordances and Employee Flourishing
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hawaii
With the advent of Generative AI (GenAI) and its application in various industries, research has begun to show how this new technology might impact aspects such as teamwork, perceived productivity, and the nature of work tasks. However, there remains a lack of studies investigating the emotional dimensions of GenAI use, particularly the affective experiences that emerge from employing such tools. This study explores the potential of GenAI tools to enhance employee flourishing in a workplace context. Through interviews with 30 individuals across four tech-intensive companies, we investigate how these tools not only provide new possibilities for work practices but also elicit positive affective experiences among users. Drawing on affect studies and affordance theory, this paper suggests that GenAI’s serendipitous nature and ability to streamline mundane tasks can enhance operational capabilities while inspiring a dynamic interplay of anticipation and excitement. Our findings indicate that the integration of GenAI introduces novel affective affordances that can potentially enhance workplace flourishing, thereby augmenting the traditional understanding of user-tool interaction in professional environments.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/hicss-58/os/human_flourishing/5