The impact of human–AI capital synergy on regional new quality productive forces: evidence from China

Purpose This study advocates for a holistic perspective by integrating human and artificial intelligence (AI) within the conceptual framework of intellectual capital (IC), aiming to investigate and reveal the impact of human–AI capital synergy on the development of regional New Quality Productive Forces (NQPFs) and its underlying mechanisms. Design/methodology/approach Using panel data from 31 provincial-level administrative regions in China between 2013 and 2023, a coupling coordination degree model was employed to quantify the synergy level of human–AI capital in each region. Fixed-effects and mediation effect models were applied to examine the impact of human–AI capital synergy on NQPFs and its mediating mechanism. Findings Human–AI capital synergy significantly promotes the development of regional NQPFs.It enhances NQPFs by improving regional innovation capacity. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the promoting effect of human–AI capital synergy on NQPFs is more pronounced in regions with higher economic development levels, larger population size, and better educational attainment. Originality/value This study breaks through the traditional unitary human capital theoretical framework by incorporating AI computing power capital into the “capital empowerment” analysis system for the first time, which beneficially expands the related research on the theory of IC in the intelligent era.