This quantitative study investigates the correlation between employees’ use of artificial-intelligence (AI) tools and their perceived psychological empowerment in Swedish organizations, as well as how perceived surveillance through such tools correlates to that empowerment. Hypothesis 1 suggested that AI use would be associated with lower empowerment, and Hypothesis 2 similarly predicted that perceived AI-based surveillance would correlate negatively with empowerment. A strategic selection was obtained through my professional network. Using a digital questionnaire with 7-point Likert-type scales, 132 respondents rated their empowerment, AI use, and perceived AI surveillance. Empowerment items were taken from Spreitzer’s validated scale (Spreitzer, 1995), whereas items on AI use and AI surveillance were self-constructed in accordance with methodological guidelines from Bryman and Bell (2024). Descriptive analyses showed that participants reported moderate levels of empowerment and AI use, and somewhat lower levels of perceived surveillance. Correlational analyses confirmed Hypothesis 1, revealing a significant negative relationship between AI use and empowerment. Hypothesis 2 was also supported, perceived AI surveillance correlated negatively with empowerment. Multiple-regression analysis indicated that both perceived surveillance and AI use were significant negative predictors of empowerment. These results suggest that AI tools can erode employees’ autonomy and empowerment. To safeguard and strengthen empowerment, organizations should prioritize social sustainability, maintain transparency during implementation, and carefully consider autonomy and meaningfulness when considering AI initiatives.