AI adoption rate and corporate green innovation efficiency: Evidence from Chinese energy companies

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has led to transformative shifts in the human landscape. Moreover, as a potent driving force behind the evolution of energy companies, green innovation has the potential to be supported by advanced technologies such as AI. However, academic research exploring the association between the AI adoption rate and green innovation in energy companies is scarce. This study analyzes data on Chinese listed energy companies from 2010 to 2020. Our findings indicate that energy companies with extensive AI adoption exhibit higher green innovation efficiency. This finding is particularly pronounced among firms that report substantial participation in environmental, social, and governance activities. However, our findings reveal that executives who focus on short-term benefits can undermine the positive influence of AI adoption on green innovation. These main findings are notably significant for energy companies where the roles of chief executive officer and board director are unified, state-owned enterprises, and companies that do not hold bank shares. This study offers novel insights and valuable guidance for policymakers regarding the strategic development of energy companies, thereby bridging a significant gap in the literature. •Textual analysis was employed to measure AI adoption rate indexes of 301 listed energy companies in China.•Explore the relationship between AI adoption rate and corporate green innovation efficiency in Chinese energy companies.•The difference-in-difference model was applied as China had articulated a concept of protecting environment after 2017.•ESG and executive myopia were used to build mechanism analysis between AI adoption rate and green innovation efficiency.•Heterogeneity tests were applied to dual role of CEO and chairman, state ownership, and whether companies hold bank share.