Answering the Call: Reclaiming the Hero's Journey for Human Agency in an AI-dominated World

As artificial intelligence (AI) disrupts workplaces, the question is no longer whether organizations will adopt these technologies, but how individuals will emotionally navigate their arrival. Among emerging emotions, fear is a potent yet often overlooked aspect in mainstream models of AI integration. In this future-scoping essay, we propose a narrative framework for understanding AI-related fear, drawing on Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey. Rather than viewing fear as an obstacle, we frame it as a vital emotional signal that can hinder or catalyze adaptation. Interpreting AI integration as a transformational journey, we offer a psychologically grounded, emotionally resonant map that treats fear not as pathology but as a compass. Our framework links the stages of Campbell's monomyth to the emotional arc of AI integration, showing how fear can be reframed through storytelling. This approach expands the tools available to organizations by blending emotional insight, narrative theory, and practical strategy for human-centric AI transformation.