The Mediating Role of Human-Centric AI in Shaping Fairness and Employment Equity: Evidence from a Structural Equation Modeling Approach

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-559-1_46How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Human-Centric AI; Artificial Intelligence; Fairness and Employment Equity; Reskilling and Upskilling; Societal Impact of AI; Mediation Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the mediating role of Perception of Human-Centric AI (PHCAI) in the relationship between Attitudes Toward Upskilling and Reskilling (AUR), Perceived Societal Impact of AI on Employment (PSAIE), and Perceived AI Fairness and Employment Equity (PAIFE). The aim is to advance understanding of how human-centric AI perceptions influence fairness and equity in AI-driven workplaces.

Design / Methodology / Approach: An empirical study conducted with 214 respondents representing diverse professional sectors. Hypothesized model was tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Model fit indices (χ² = 4.000, df = 2, χ²/df = 2.00; CFI = 0.945; TLI = 0.922; RMSEA = 0.055) indicated a good fit. Mediation analysis explored indirect effects of PHCAI on PAIFE.

Findings: Both AUR (β = 0.547 total effect) and PSAIE (β = 0.804 total effect) significantly influence PAIFE. PHCAI was found to partially mediate these relationships, with notable indirect effects (AUR → PAIFE = 0.331; PSAIE → PAIFE = 0.155). These findings confirm the critical role of PHCAI in strengthening fairness and equity outcomes in organizations adopting AI.

Practical Implications: Organizations should actively foster human-centric AI practices, enhance employee reskilling initiatives, and address societal concerns surrounding AI to promote fairness and employment equity. Policymakers and HR leaders can leverage these insights to design ethical AI strategies and inclusive workforce policies.

Originality / Value: This research contributes to the emerging body of knowledge on ethical AI adoption by integrating human-centric perspectives into SEM-based analysis of workplace fairness. By highlighting the mediating influence of PHCAI, the study offers novel theoretical and practical insights for advancing ethical, equitable, and sustainable AI-driven organizational practices.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - S. Gokula Krishnan
AU  - K. L. Arundathi
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/04/19
TI  - The Mediating Role of Human-Centric AI in Shaping Fairness and Employment Equity: Evidence from a Structural Equation Modeling Approach
BT  - Proceedings of the Global Innovation and Technology Summit “AAROHAN 3.0”_HSS track (GITS-HSS 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 708
EP  - 728
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-559-1_46
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-559-1_46
ID  - Krishnan2026
ER  -