Identifying and Prioritizing the Dimensions of AI-Enabled Human Resource Empowerment in Government Organizations: Evidence from Semnan Province, Iran

Abstract

This study identified and prioritized the dimensions of human resource empowerment in the context of artificial intelligence adoption in government organizations in Semnan Province, Iran. An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design was used. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 academic and administrative experts selected purposively. The interview data were analyzed thematically to derive the major dimensions and subdimensions of AI-enabled human resource empowerment. In the quantitative prioritization phase, 20 managers and human resource experts completed pairwise comparisons, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process was used to calculate relative weights. Seven major dimensions and 22 subdimensions were identified. Organizational culture and attitudes received the highest weight (0.268), followed by technological infrastructure (0.249), digital competency development (0.164), digital leadership (0.135), AI-enabled human resource processes (0.086), continuous learning and development (0.062), and strategic governance (0.037). The highest-ranked subdimensions were promoting a culture of innovation and digital transformation (0.144), developing digital and computational infrastructure (0.127), creating integrated organizational data repositories (0.087), training employees in data analytics and artificial intelligence (0.084), and promoting acceptance of AI technologies (0.082). AI-enabled employee empowerment in public organizations depends primarily on organizational readiness, technological foundations, and employee capabilities. The proposed framework should be interpreted as a context-specific prioritization model rather than a validated causal model.