LLMs as a New Species: Revolutionary Perspectives on AI, Innovation, and Socio-Technical Ecosystems [AoM Session #13855]
And now, for something completely different! We invite macro and micro scholars from all backgrounds and research foci to join us for a AoM PDW dedicated to exploring exciting new avenues related to the organizational and managerial impacts of AI.
Although the primary sponsors of this PDW are TIM, ENT, OMT and CTO, conference attendees from ALL Divisions and Interest Groups are welcome to participate in the session, which will be held: Friday, Jul 31 2026, from 1:15PM - 3:15PM ET at the Loews Hotel in Washington B [3rd Floor].
Overview
The rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) marks a pivotal turning point in AI, positioning them not merely as tools but as evolving systems with adaptive qualities. Prevailing concepts, such as automation, augmentation, and decision support, implicitly treat AI as subordinate to human cognition and control. However, scholars increasingly assert that such frames are inadequate, suggesting that novel conceptualizations of LLMs is in order. Without invoking biological claims, some scholars have proposed that LLMs can be rigorously theorized as a new species of socio-technical cognition. By "species," they refer not to biological life but to a distinct class of evolving cognitive actors. This framing enables analysis of co-evolution, coordination, and governance that cannot be captured by tool-based perspectives of AI.
Link to Technovations Special Issue
Drawing on evolutionary and ecological perspectives-including speciation, selection, and symbiosis-this PDW invites scholars to examine how LLMs reshape innovation systems, organizational capabilities, and societal structures. Designed in conjunction with a forthcoming Special Issue in Technovation -- and in support of other works-in-progress for AoM publications -- the Workshop will bring together experts and neophytes in exploring this fascinating approach to AI. The Technovations Special Issue Call can be accessed HERE.
PDW Format
The session will be comprised of two parts. Part I features a panel discussion with the Technovations Special Issue Guest Editors. Part II consists of interactive roundtable paper development sessions. Note: Attendees are welcome to participate in the entire PDW even if they do not submit an abstract!
We welcome all stages of conceptual and empirical work -- initial ideas, working papers, and projects in development. spanning innovation studies, management theory, computer science, and the philosophy of technology -- as well as folks who simply curious newcomers to the domain. Participants will gain critical insights into applying biological analogies to AI dynamics and receive constructive feedback on their work in preparation for the Special Issue submission window in late 2026.
Panelists, Mentors, and Roundtable Discussants:
Miles Yang (Macquarie University)
Rick Hunt (Virginia Tech)
Candy Lu (Macquarie University)
Lara Khansa (Virginia Tech)
Daniel Clark (Western Ontario - Ivey School of Business)
Mathias Tietz (University of St. Galen)
Parul Manocha (Univ of Alabama - Birmingham),
Submission Requirements for the Paper Development Roundtables
- A brief (1–3 pages) outline of your research question(s), brainstorms, theoretical framing, and (if applicable) empirical context
- Your CV -- so we can customize the session based on individuals' backgrounds.
Deadline: Please upload your submissions HERE by July 15th 11:59 pm EDT
Notification of acceptance: July 22, 2026
Questions? Contact the organizers
Miles Yang at Macquarie University: miles.yang@mq.edu.au
Rick Hunt at Virginia Tech: rickhunt@vt.edu
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Rick Hunt
Dorothy Hottel Digges Professor of Entrepreneurship
Full Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship
Research Director - Apex Center for Entrepreneurs
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg VA
rickhunt@vt.edu------------------------------