Xinzi Xia, Jianxiang Zhang
ABSTRACT Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a core engine of technological innovation and competitiveness. Using data on Chinese A‐share listed firms from 2009 to 2023, we find that executives' IT background significantly promotes corporate AI adoption, particularly in learning‐based AI rather than logic‐based AI. Mechanism analyses suggest that IT‐oriented executives facilitate AI adoption through strategic conduct in AI cognitive construction and substantive initiatives in AI technology innovation. Further heterogeneity analyses reveal that the positive effect is significantly stronger for executives with longer tenure, those occupying the CEO position, and those whose IT backgrounds were acquired in more recent technological eras. Moreover, the promoting effect of IT‐oriented executives intensifies across successive stages of AI development.