The green transformation path of Chinese energy companies: Exploring the role of artificial intelligence and Human-AI Collaboration in the green innovation sustainability

Green innovation sustainability (GIS) has emerged as a pivotal driver for the transformation of the energy industry toward sustainability. Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a significant role in promoting continuous green innovation within the energy sector. Using panel data from Chinese listed energy companies from 2013 to 2022, this study empirically examines the impact and mechanisms through which AI influences green innovation sustainability. The findings indicate that a higher level of AI application significantly enhances the sustainability of corporate green innovation. Mechanism analysis reveals that AI indirectly fosters GIS through digital transformation effects, value enhancement effects, and green orientation effects. Furthermore, company size positively moderates the relationship between AI and GIS and exhibits a single threshold effect with nonlinear increments. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the impact of AI is significant across industries with different pollution intensities, companies in eastern China, and companies with higher technological and capital intensity but lower labor intensity. Further research identifies that the synergy between human capital and AI more effectively promotes the development of GIS. The findings of this study offer both theoretical insights and practical implications for advancing China’s energy transition and the sustainable development of a green economy.