<p>As generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) becomes increasingly integrated into organizational workflows, understanding its impact on employee collaboration and group decision contexts is crucial. Prior studies have largely adopted a linear view, portraying AI either as a helpful augmentation tool or a threat to human roles. In this study, we investigate a nonlinear relationship between employee-AI collaboration and employees’ perceptions of GenAI, specifically its usefulness and replaceability, within group-based work environments. Drawing on exposure effect theory, we propose and test an inverted U-shaped indirect relationship, where collaboration initially enhances perceived usefulness and, in turn, perceived replaceability, but excessive collaboration reverses this effect. Data from a two-wave multi-source field survey supports our hypotheses. Moreover, we find that task complexity and managerial support moderate these effects. By reframing employee-AI interaction as a dynamic and context-sensitive process, our study advances theory on human-AI teaming and offers insights into how GenAI shapes perceptions in group-oriented work.</p>