Intelligence-driven and psychological adaptation: the double-edged sword effect of AI awareness on intrapreneurial behavior among hotel employees

Purpose This study aims to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) awareness exerts a double-edged sword effect on intrapreneurial behavior through two parallel mechanisms: job insecurity (a resource–loss pathway) and organizational identification (an identity–enhancement pathway), moderated by mindfulness. Design/methodology/approach This study collected data via a two-wave survey of 434 employees in the Chinese hotel industry. Data analysis was conducted using AMOS 24.0, SPSS 26.0 and Hayes’ PROCESS macros. Findings Results indicate that AI awareness triggers two different psychological processes. It both heightens job insecurity (thereby suppressing intrapreneurial behavior) and strengthens organizational identification (thereby fostering such behavior). Furthermore, employee mindfulness moderates these relationships, buffering the negative path and amplifying the positive one. Originality/value By jointly applying conservation of resources and social identity theories, the study reveals how resource threats and identity enhancement influence employees’ responses to AI. The findings offer practical insights for fostering innovation in human–AI collaborative environments.