Beyond Skills: The Role of Professional Involvement as a Safeguard Against AI‐Driven Automation Risk

ABSTRACT Research studies on technological change indicates a growing risk of AI‐driven job transformation. Automated systems have increasingly taken over routine tasks, shifting workers toward roles requiring advanced thinking and feeling skills. Although these skills act as barriers to automation, little is known about their development pathways. Grounded in the job replacement and conservation of resources (COR) theories, this study examines the relationship between these skills and risk of automation by AI, along with the moderating role of professional involvement. Our analysis of data gathered from 1380 Canadian workers across seven occupations using structural equation modeling (SEM) confirms that feeling skills protect against automation. Moreover, a higher level of professional involvement fosters both thinking and feeling skills, enhancing adaptability, reducing AI‐related risks, and improving AI implementation. This study offers insights for researchers, as well as for organizations and policymakers navigating AI‐driven automation.