Beyond IT Adoption: The Evolving Boundaries of Diffusion Research in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence (AI), digital platforms, and algorithmic infrastructures are transforming the adoption and diffusion processes studied in Information Systems (IS) research. This panel report synthesizes and extends discussions from the 28th Annual DIGIT Workshop, highlighting critical shifts in diffusion research driven by AI advancements. The panel was hosted by the Special Interest Group on the Adoption and Diffusion of Information Technology (SIG ADIT), one of the longest-running groups affiliated with the Association for Information Systems (AIS). It convened senior scholars to explore how IS research must evolve to address these changes. The discussion centered on four key themes: rethinking traditional diffusion frameworks, embedding responsible and human-compatible AI design, navigating methodological innovation, and supporting early-career researchers in a rapidly changing landscape. The panel identified three interrelated tensions—innovation versus unintended consequences, scale versus ethical considerations, and speed versus deliberation—that amplify the importance of studying AI diffusion. These tensions call for IS researchers to adopt multi-level, longitudinal frameworks, integrate ethical governance considerations, responsibly leverage computational-qualitative methods, and embrace reflexive, value-sensitive theorizing. The report introduces an integrative model that captures these themes and tensions, and offers five pathways for future research to guide responsible and impactful AI adoption.