| Name | Azadeh Savoli |
| At SKEMA since… | September 2024 |
| Title | Associate Professor of Artificial Intelligence |
| Specialisation | Information Systems |
| Research Centre | SKEMA Centre for Artificial Intelligence |
Azadeh Savoli is an Associate Professor of Artificial Intelligence at SKEMA Business School. She is a researcher at the SKEMA Centre for Artificial Intelligence. Her research focuses on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on work practices, health IT systems, and human-computer interaction. She is currently investigating how AI affects employee job satisfaction, job performance, and creativity, examining both the benefits and potential challenges.
Could you tell us more about your field of research, particularly the impact of AI on work practices?
The growing use of AI in workplaces raises concerns about job satisfaction, creativity, and employee dynamics. While AI can boost efficiency and innovation, it also brings up issues of job security and over-reliance. A key question is whether employees see AI as a helpful collaborator or a threat to their role, and how this affects motivation. Additionally, does AI enhance creativity or limit independent thinking? My research explores these questions to understand how AI can benefit employees and how organisations can integrate it effectively while maintaining engagement and control.
I am currently working on multiple research projects exploring the impact of AI on work and organisations. One of my ongoing projects, in collaboration with researchers from IESEG School of Management and the University of Michigan, examines how AI influences job satisfaction from an identification perspective. This study focuses on call centre employees’ interactions with chatbots, investigating whether they perceive AI as a collaborator that supports their work or a competitor that threatens their role. By analysing these perceptions, we aim to understand how AI-driven workplace dynamics shape employees’ performance, engagement, and overall job satisfaction.
What results surprised you the most?
One of the most surprising findings from my research was that, contrary to our expectations, competition with AI did not always have a negative effect. Instead, we found that employees who saw AI as a competitor actually developed a stronger connection with it. Rather than feeling alienated, these employees engaged more with AI, possibly as a way to adapt and improve their own performance.
What are the foreseen outcomes?
In the long run, my research could influence how AI is designed, implemented, and regulated in workplaces. It may contribute to organisational strategies that ensure AI enhances work rather than replacing human input. My findings could also inform policy decisions on AI’s role in employment, shaping guidelines for ethical and effective integration. Industries adopting AI may use this research to refine how they structure jobs, train employees, and maintain engagement. More broadly, it could contribute to discussions on the future of work, helping businesses, researchers, and policymakers navigate the evolving relationship between AI and the workforce.