Designing job characteristics for effective hybrid intelligence: insights from job design and human–AI collaboration

Purpose The fusion of human intelligence with artificial intelligence is a promising approach for addressing complex challenges, giving rise to the concept of hybrid intelligence. However, principles for guiding the design and management of hybrid intelligence are lacking. This study addresses this gap by exploring the key characteristics of job positions necessary for effective hybrid intelligence. Drawing upon the job characteristic theory (JCT), we identify key job features relevant to hybrid intelligence work, elucidating the challenges and considerations inherent in this domain. Design/methodology/approach The study conducted 23 semi-structured interviews with middle-level managers from ten service companies in China, exploring their experiences with human–AI collaboration within their organisations. The analysis employed both inductive and deductive methods. Inductive coding was used to identify emerging themes from the participants’ responses, while the deductive approach ensured that these themes aligned with the research questions and Hackman and Oldham’s JCT. Findings The results contribute to our understanding of the job positions required for successful hybrid intelligence implementation, offering both theoretical and practical perspectives on job design and JCT applications in the era of intelligent technologies. Originality/value Our findings illuminate the critical job characteristics essential for integrating hybrid intelligence into organisational systems, highlighting the evolution of job roles and the implications for effective job design in the intelligent era. These insights inform the ongoing discourse on job design and adaptation in the face of rapidly evolving technological advancements, guiding organisations seeking to harness the full potential of hybrid intelligence.