AI will not take your job, it will transform it – but only if you trust it
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The rise of generative AI has sparked widespread concern about job security and the future of human work. In his doctoral dissertation at the University of Vaasa, Zhe Zhu reveals that when employees trust the system and see it as a helpful partner rather than a threat, AI can actually increase work engagement and help build more sustainable careers.
As generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini become increasingly embedded in working life, organisations are under pressure to adopt them quickly. Zhe Zhu’s doctoral dissertation in information systems science examines how these technologies reshape both organisational decision-making and employees’ experiences of work.
While many employees worry about losing control, this very insecurity can act as a catalyst that drives workers to embrace technology more eagerly to ensure their own relevance.
– As NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has pointed out, workers are not simply being replaced by AI, but by those who have learned to use GenAI to work more effectively. The workers that perceive GenAI more positively are also more engaged and adaptable in their careers, notes Zhu.
Trust plays a central role in determining whether AI collaboration benefits employees and organisations. Employees who trust AI too much may accept incorrect outputs without critical evaluation, while those who distrust it may fail to recognise its potential benefits altogether.
Navigating the transition towards responsible AI integration
According to Zhu, the success of GenAI adoption depends less on the technology itself and more on the organisation’s ability to integrate it. Organisations must address ethical concerns, data privacy, and responsible governance as AI becomes embedded in everyday work.
– Organisations should follow a strategic roadmap to align the technology with their goals and build ecosystems with industry and academic partners. My research proposes an eight-step framework that guides organisations in moving from experimentation toward a more integrated and purposeful use of GenAI, states Zhu.
Inevitably, workplaces are moving towards an AI-native future, where AI no longer functions as a separate tool but as an integrated part of workflows and processes.
– We are in a new industrial revolution. Some jobs will disappear, but new forms of work and entirely new industries will also emerge around AI infrastructure, data centres, and digital services. Instead of fearing the technology, employees should learn how to use it critically and develop their skills alongside it, says Zhu.
Dissertation
Zhu, Zhe (2026) Generative Artificial Intelligence in Organizations: Strategic Decisions and Human Adaptations. Acta Wasaensia 586. Doctoral dissertation. University of Vaasa.
Public defence
The public examination of M.Sc. Zhe Zhu’s doctoral dissertation”Generative Artificial Intelligence in Organizations: Strategic Decisions and Human Adaptations” will be held on Wednesday 27 May 2026 at 12 at the University of Vaasa, auditorium Kurtén.
It is possible to participate in the defence also online:
https://uwasa.zoom.us/j/66602947325?pwd=tVBp1jbgbgbh3tZQEvVzsDIiSXzV05.1
Password: 363256
Professor Najmul Islam (LUT University) will act as opponent and Professor Tero Vartiainen as custos.
Tietolaatikko
Further information
Zhe Zhu was born in 1982 in China. He completed a Master’s degree in Industrial Systems Analytics from the University of Vaasa in 2021. He currently works as a Grant-Funded Researcher at the University of Vaasa in the field of Information Systems Science.