Designing Human-Centered AI for Employee Well-Being in Oman: A Systematic Review and Framework for Responsible HR Technology Adoption

This paper addresses a critical gap in both the HRM and AI governance literature by systematically reviewing the literature on human-centered AI design and developing a framework specifically tailored to the Omani context. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 60 of 438 articles from Scopus and Web of Science were deemed eligible for in-depth analysis in this systematic literature review. The synthesis followed a narrative approach organized by theoretical framework, and studies were examined through the lenses of self-determination theory (SDT), the job demands–resources (JD-R) model, and humanistic HRM, contextualized within Oman’s unique institutional and cultural environment. The review reveals that AI impacts employee well-being through three primary theoretical pathways: the satisfaction or frustration of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) as articulated by SDT; the dual-pathway mechanism of job demands and job resources as articulated by the JD-R model; and the ethical and governance dimensions articulated by humanistic HRM and responsible AI frameworks. These pathways are synthesized into a context-sensitive HUMAN–AI Well-Being Framework for Oman, comprising six pillars—Human Oversight and Decision Authority; User Voice; Meaningful Work; Algorithmic Transparency; Need Satisfaction; and AI Accountability—intended to guide responsible HR technology adoption under Oman Vision 2040 and Omanization-related workforce priorities. The framework is presented explicitly as a research agenda and governance heuristic rather than as a validated causal model.