University of Twente Student Theses
‘Who Am I With AI?’ : Exploring the Impact of AI on Professional Identity
Ruiter, B.M. (2025) ‘Who Am I With AI?’ : Exploring the Impact of AI on Professional Identity.
|
PDF
1MB |
| Abstract: | This thesis examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on professional identity, comparing South Korea and the Netherlands through a cross-cultural lens, with a focus on the medical sector. By employing an inductive, qualitative comparative case study approach that incorporates semi-structured interviews and open-ended responses, this study examines the perceived positive and negative implications of AI integration on the self-concept, roles, and values of medical professionals. Guided by the Gioia methodology and thematic analysis, the results show that although AI may disrupt traditional task responsibilities, core professional values such as autonomy, ethics, and patient-centred care still remain substantially resilient. This study highlights how professionals engage in identity work to adapt, resist, or redefine their roles by identifying two main dimensions of experience: “mistrust in AI” and “AI-identity work”. Although AI is often viewed as a supportive tool rather than a threat, the emotional and cultural framing of AI’s influence varies across different contexts. While the South Korean participant frames AI as a collaborative asset, Dutch professionals often place more emphasis on scepticism regarding autonomy. By revealing how internal, organisational, and cultural factors influence identity responses, the study theoretically adds to the body of literature on identity work. Practically, it highlights the need for identity-sensitive implementation strategies in the adoption of AI. In conclusion, AI does not replace the professional, it redefines them. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/106322 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
Show download statistics for this publication
Show download statistics for this publicationRepository Staff Only: item control page