Weathering the Storm: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in the IT Industry Post-COVID-19 Epidemic and the Role that Employee Learning and Development Plays in Enhancing Employee Performance - A Mediation Approach

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly accelerated the integration of artificial intelligence into the IT industry. This study examines the multifaceted implications of AI adoption in the post-pandemic IT landscape, with a particular focus on the role of employee learning and development as a strategy to improve employee performance. Explore the impact of AI on the structure, operations and overall performance of the IT industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We assess how well staff can adapt to technological breakthroughs driven by artificial intelligence and address changing skills needs. Assess the effectiveness of mediation strategies to bridge the gap between AI integration and employee learning, resulting in better overall organizational performance. The study used qualitative techniques and data collected through a structured questionnaire was provided by IT staff of reputed Indian IT companies. A total of 388 valid responses were collected from 492 employees of the target group who received the questionnaire. The researcher used partial least squares structural equation modeling. Research shows the potential that AI-led learning and development can improve employee performance in the AI-driven IT sector. Companies can expect improved employee performance, including improved productivity and quality of work, when they invest in AI-based learning and development for their IT staff. AI can be used to change the difficulty level of learning materials based on the employee's performance. Not only are they neither above nor below the challenges, this ensures that the employee is always learning at an appropriate pace.