AI Utilization and Emotional Intelligence as Determinants of Innovative Work Behavior

In today’s competitive landscape, fostering innovative work behavior (IWB) is critical for organizational success. While artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a driver of innovation, its effective adoption is contingent upon human factors such as emotional intelligence (EI). This study investigates the determinants of IWB by examining the influence of EI and AI utilization among corporate employees in Greater Jakarta. Utilizing a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from 322 employees and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results demonstrate that EI is a significant positive predictor of both IWB and, more strongly, AI utilization. Furthermore, the analysis confirms that AI utilization has a positive effect on IWB and functions as a significant mediator in the relationship between EI and IWB. These findings reveal a crucial pathway where emotional intelligence facilitates the adoption and use of AI tools, which in turn enhances employees’ innovative behaviors. This research contributes a unified framework, suggesting that organizations should develop both EI and AI literacy in tandem to create a robust, human-driven culture of innovation.