Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into the workplace, yielding many positive results. However, understanding of its impact on employees remains limited. Therefore, based on the transactional theory of stress, this study aims to explore the influence of AI awareness and end-user computing satisfaction on the innovative work behavior and job performance of domestic high-tech professionals. Data for this paper were collected through online surveys, and part of the data were analyzed using a least squares structural equation model. The results showed that AI awareness and end-user computing satisfaction had a positive effect on employee challenge evaluation and a negative effect on obstruction evaluation. Challenging evaluation had a positive effect on employees' creative work behavior, while obstructive evaluation had a negative effect on employees' creative work behavior. Creative work behavior, in turn, had a positive effect on job performance. Cognitive evaluation and creative work behavior played a chain mediating role in the effects of AI awareness and end-user computing satisfaction on employee work performance. Additionally, employee innovative work behavior positively moderated the relationship between end-user computing satisfaction and employee job performance. We hope that this study will make a practical contribution to human resource practices in the financial industry, specifically by helping to alleviate job insecurity We hope that this study will make a practical contribution to human resource practices in the financial industry, specifically by helping to alleviate job insecurity through employee assessments of STARA awareness, which can in turn improve job performance. Company executives should provide adequate resources and support for the professional development of non-management personnel. This paper can serve as a reference for scholars and practitioners in designing the working characteristics of artificial intelligence.