Gamified Work Systems as Behavioral Architectures: A Behavioral Economic Study of AI-Mediated Engagement in the IT Workforce.

This study explores how traditional work structures in the IT sector, especially in Chennai, are evolving into AI-driven and gamified environments. (a) Problem Statement: The rapid integration of artificial intelligence and gamification in IT workplaces has transformed traditional organizational structures into dynamic, data-driven environments. However, the mechanisms through which AI-mediated gamified systems influence employee behaviour, decision-making, and engagement—particularly through cognitive biases such as framing effects, social comparison, and loss aversion—remain insufficiently understood, especially in the context of Chennai's IT workforce. (b) Solution: This study adopts a descriptive research design, collecting structured questionnaire data from 400–500 IT professionals in Chennai. Gamified work systems are theorized as behavioural architectures shaped by behavioural economics principles. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is employed to examine relationships between gamified elements—points, rewards, leaderboards, challenges, and feedback—and employee engagement, mediated by AI-driven motivation, decision framing, and cognitive immersion. (c)Significant Findings: AI-enabled gamified systems significantly enhance employee engagement by fostering intrinsic motivation and immersive work experiences. Concurrently, the findings reveal concerns regarding reduced employee autonomy and heightened algorithmic control, underscoring AI's dual role as both enabler and constraint. (d) Applications: The study offers an integrated framework combining behavioural economics, gamification, and AI, providing practical guidance for organizations to design ethical, transparent, and engagement-oriented digital work environments.