The Articulation Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Capital: Complementarity or Substitution in Value Creation?

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to analyze the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and human capital in the process of value creation within organizations. Based on an empirical study conducted among a sample of managers and human resources executives from various sectors, we examine whether AI acts as a lever of complementarity or as a factor of substitution for human capital. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of value creation and competence management, the analysis reveals that AI does not replace human skills but rather transforms their nature. The findings highlight that the complementarity between AI and human capital enhances innovation, productivity, and organizational performance. This study contributes to the literature on digital transformation by demonstrating that the value generated by AI largely depends on firms’ ability to develop and integrate human competencies around intelligent technologies.