Abstract
This study examines the complex interplay between AI familiarity, trust in AI, innovation orientation, change acceptance, and fears of job replacement among employees in the financial sector. Drawing on a sample of 196 respondents and employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, the analysis reveals that AI familiarity significantly predicts trust in AI (β = 0.463, p < 0.001), which in turn positively influences innovation orientation (β = 0.609, p < 0.001). However, neither change acceptance nor innovation orientation demonstrated significant effects on replacement fears, and trust in AI did not significantly alleviate such concerns. These findings suggest that employees cognitively distinguish between technological appreciation and employment security, indicating that trust in AI as a functional tool does not translate into reduced anxiety about workforce displacement. The study contributes to the literature on technology acceptance, organizational change, and the future of work by highlighting the complex, non-linear relationships between cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses to AI implementation. Theoretical implications for understanding AI as an ambivalent technology and practical recommendations for organizations seeking to foster innovation while managing employee concerns are discussed.
Paper Type
Full Paper
DOI
10.62036/ISD.2026.148
Navigating the Double-Edged Sword: AI Familiarity, Trust, and Employee Attitudes Toward Technological Innovation in the Financial Sector
This study examines the complex interplay between AI familiarity, trust in AI, innovation orientation, change acceptance, and fears of job replacement among employees in the financial sector. Drawing on a sample of 196 respondents and employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, the analysis reveals that AI familiarity significantly predicts trust in AI (β = 0.463, p < 0.001), which in turn positively influences innovation orientation (β = 0.609, p < 0.001). However, neither change acceptance nor innovation orientation demonstrated significant effects on replacement fears, and trust in AI did not significantly alleviate such concerns. These findings suggest that employees cognitively distinguish between technological appreciation and employment security, indicating that trust in AI as a functional tool does not translate into reduced anxiety about workforce displacement. The study contributes to the literature on technology acceptance, organizational change, and the future of work by highlighting the complex, non-linear relationships between cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses to AI implementation. Theoretical implications for understanding AI as an ambivalent technology and practical recommendations for organizations seeking to foster innovation while managing employee concerns are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Watoła, S. & Strzelecki, A.(2026). Navigating the Double-Edged Sword: AI Familiarity, Trust, and Employee Attitudes Toward Technological Innovation in the Financial Sector. In M. Valenta, B. Mannová, R. Pergl, A. Przybylek, M. Lang, H. Linger, C. Schneider, N. Iivari, & E. Insfran (Eds.), Making ISD Sustainable: Reloaded with AI and Automation (ISD2026 Proceedings). Prague, Czech Republic: Czech Technical University in Prague. ISBN: 978-80-01-07585-2. https://doi.org/10.62036/ISD.2026.148