Abstract
This study investigates the financial market’s response to publicly announced artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, viewed through the lens of a human-centered transformation. As companies integrate AI, the manner in which they do so—either by augmenting human capabilities or simply automating tasks—is a critical factor in determining long-term value. Using a robust event study methodology, this research analyzes a dataset of AI investment, product launch, and partnership announcements, with a particular focus on the messaging and purpose behind these initiatives. The findings confirm that while AI announcements generally correlate with short-term positive abnormal returns, the market’s reaction is significantly more favorable for firms that explicitly articulate a human-centered strategy. This includes initiatives that demonstrate a clear, tangible use case for enhancing employee productivity, improving customer experiences, or addressing ethical and societal concerns. Conversely, the market is increasingly wary of announcements that appear to focus solely on cost-cutting or are not transparent about their purpose. These results suggest that investors are no longer simply valuing the technology itself, but are instead assessing a company’s ability to implement AI in a way that generates real-world, sustainable, and collaborative value. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on the market’s response to technological innovation and provides valuable insights for stakeholders navigating the AI-driven investment landscape.
Presenters
Jing QuanProfessor and Chair, Information Systems and Operations Management, Salisbury University, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2026 Special Focus—Human-Centered AI Transformations
KEYWORDS
Human-centered AI, AI transformation, Event study analysis, Financial performance
