Artificial Intelligence as Theoretical Workshop: Using AI to Improve the Theory Problem in Organizational Sciences

Theories in organizational science often suffer from fuzzy boundaries, overlapping constructs, and limited falsifiability, raising concerns about coherence and cumulative progress. In response, we explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for advancing theory-building in organizational science. We conceptualize AI as a theoretical workshop, arguing that when embedded within a human-in-the-loop framework, AI can assist with generating theoretical arguments, evaluating the logical coherence and completeness of theories, and formalizing them through computational modeling. These advances improve the quality of new theories while pruning inadequate theoretical frameworks. AI also lowers barriers that have historically limited progress by democratizing access to computational tools and enabling more dynamic, iterative, and interdisciplinary theorizing. Although integration of AI demands careful attention to ethical considerations and cannot replace the judgment, creativity, and contextual expertise of researchers, its potential to transform organizational research is substantial.