Abstract:
Work-life balance among professional women in Sri Lanka is shaped by deep-rooted cultural
expectations and demanding workplace conditions. In the development sector specifically, project-driven
workloads and donor accountability pressures make these challenges even harder to manage. The rapid spread of
artificial intelligence (AI) into organisational processes adds another layer of complexity, yet its actual effect on
work-life balance among women in this sector has not been properly studied in the Sri Lankan context. This study
examined three AI-related predictors of work-life balance: (1) AI usage at the workplace, (2) organisational
support for AI use, and (3) AI digital skills, with work-life balance as the dependent variable. The theoretical
framework drew on the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989), Border Theory (Clark, 2000), and Role
Theory (Katz & Kahn, 1978). A Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods design was used, combining quantitative
data from 100 female development sector employees with qualitative data from five in-depth interviews. Multiple
regression analysis confirmed that AI usage (β = 0.682, p < .001), organisational support (β = 0.725, p < .001),
and AI digital skills (β = 0.593, p < .001) each showed a significant positive effect on work-life balance.
Qualitative findings reinforced these results. The study contributes empirical evidence from an underexplored
context and offers practical guidance for individuals, organisations, and policymakers navigating AI adoption in
the development sector.
