AI Integration, Communication Barriers, and Team Effectiveness: A Quantitative Study of Virtual IT Teams

Abstract

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies into virtual workplaces has transformed how members of the IT industry collaborate. Many of today’s virtual teams use AI-enabled applications to facilitate predictive analytics, enhanced communication, and automated management of tasks in order to provide greater coordination and efficiency. However, there is currently little empirical evidence on how these types of tools affect the dynamics of communication and overall team performance for virtual teams utilizing technology. In terms of performance metrics, virtual IT teams are encountering communication-related barriers due to: 1) technological disconnection; 2) a lack of non-verbal cues; 3) differences in time zones; and 4) reduced trust between team members; as such, these factors severely affect team performance. Utilizing Socio-Technical Systems and Technology Acceptance Models, this research assesses how both the direct and indirect impacts of communication-related communications barriers and the integration of AI affect team performance in virtual IT project teams. AI integration and team efficiency are correlated through communication barriers. Data collected through structured surveys (quantitative) from IT professionals working in virtual project teams will be used to test hypothesized relationships using SEM. This research is expected to enhance the growing body of literature pertaining to AI-enabled work environments by providing empirical evidence of how much AIl technological integration influences teams’ contextual outcomes via their communication processes. The findings of this research will provide practical implications for practitioners implementing AI technology as a strategic tool to enhance team effectiveness while reducing communication barriers and theoretical implications by broadening the socio-technical ways of thinking to respond to virtual teams comprising AI.