How artificial intelligence improves the resilience of marine firms: insights from China’s A-share market

Against the backdrop of frequent global economic volatility and external shocks, investigating how artificial intelligence (AI) empowers marine firm resilience has become an essential requirement for realizing high-quality marine development. Utilizing panel data from China’s A-share listed marine firms between 2012 and 2023, this study systematically examines the impact and underlying mechanisms of AI on marine firm resilience. The findings reveal that AI significantly enhances the resilience of these firms. Notably, this conclusion remains robust after addressing endogeneity biases and conducting a series of robustness checks. Mechanism analysis demonstrates that AI strengthens marine firm resilience primarily through three distinct pathways: reducing internal transaction costs, improving asset operational efficiency, and promoting the diversification of international market layouts. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis uncovers that the empowering effect of AI is particularly pronounced in large-scale marine firms, firms with executive teams possessing digital backgrounds, and those operating within traditional marine industries. Consequently, this paper recommends advancing the “AI + Marine” initiative, with a strategic focus on cost reduction, efficiency enhancement, and accelerating the turnover of heavy assets. Additionally, implementing differentiated and targeted digital support strategies tailored to varying firm scales and industry attributes is crucial to comprehensively solidify the micro-foundation for the high-quality development of the marine economy.