Original Research Artificial intelligence and employee assistance programmes in South Africa: A systematic review of ethical, cultural and digital transformation requirements for workforce well-being

Nthabeleng I. Mdhluli

About the author(s) Nthabeleng I. Mdhluli, Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, College of Economic and Management Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Orientation: Artificial intelligence is increasingly transforming employee assistance programmes (EAPs) by enabling proactive, data-driven and context-sensitive approaches to employee well-being. In South African context, however, socio-economic inequalities, pronounced digital divides and cultural and linguistic diversity continue to constrain the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced EAPs, leaving ethical, cultural and structural considerations insufficiently examined.
Research purpose: To address this gap, this study employed a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature from 2012 to 2024 to examine and synthesise the ethical, cultural and digital transformation requirements influencing the adoption of AI-driven EAPs in South African workplaces.
Motivation for the study: The integration of AI in EAPs has not been fully explored in the South African context, where challenges of diversity, ethics and digital equity remain prominent.
Research approach/design and method: In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, a review of the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and EBSCOhost databases resulted in the identification of 50 relevant articles, which were analysed thematically.
Main findings: The synthesis produced six interconnected themes: (1) adoption and implementation dynamics (2) infrastructure and digital competency barriers (3) cultural and linguistic appropriateness (4) ethical governance and data privacy (5) economic and structural constraints and (6) employee well-being outcomes.
Practical/managerial implications: To unlock the potential of AI in EAPs, it is essential to create strategies that are culturally responsive, ethically governed and technologically inclusive.
Contribution/value-add: This review offers insights to assist policymakers, Human Resource (HR) professionals and EAP designers in developing fair and contextually relevant digital well-being interventions within South African workplaces.

Keywords

artificial intelligence; cultural diversity; digital transformation; employee assistance programmes; ethics in technology; leadership; well-being

JEL Codes

I10: General

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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