The Effect of Human-AI Collaboration and Digitalization on Green ESG Performance: Empirical Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies.

This study investigates the influence of Human-AI collaboration and digitalization strategies on Green Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, examining the moderating role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Using a comprehensive dataset of 3,600 firm-year observations from Chinese listed companies between 2016 and 2023, we employ multiple regression analyses to test our hypotheses. Our findings reveal that firms with higher levels of Human-AI integration demonstrate significantly enhanced green ESG performance (β = 0.318, p < 0.01). Additionally, digitalization intensity positively correlates with improved environmental metrics (β = 0.245, p < 0.01). Notably, CSR commitment strengthens these relationships, with the interaction effect being particularly pronounced for firms operating in environmentally sensitive industries. These results offer important implications for managers seeking to leverage technological integration while balancing sustainability objectives, and contribute to the growing literature on technology-driven environmental management practices in emerging economies.