<p>This study investigates the complex relationships among organizationally prescribed perfectionism (OPP), job stress, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and self-efficacy in artificial intelligence (AI) use in the context of modern workplaces. Drawing on various theories, we hypothesized that OPP would indirectly affect GAD through job stress, and that self-efficacy in AI use would moderate the OPP-job stress link. Using a time-lagged, three-wave survey design, data were gathered from 421 employees across various industries in South Korea. Structural equation modeling and bootstrapping analyses were employed to test the hypothesized relationships. Results indicated that job stress fully mediated the OPP-GAD link, indicating that OPP primarily influences employee mental health through increased job stress. Moreover, self-efficacy in AI use was found to significantly moderate the association between OPP and job stress, such that members with higher AI self-efficacy experienced less job stress in response to OPP. These findings contribute to our understanding of how perfectionistic organizational cultures impact employee well-being through increased job stress. Specifically, our results show that employees with higher AI self-efficacy experienced 21.5% less job stress in response to organizational perfectionism, suggesting that technological competencies serve as a critical buffer against workplace stressors. This study offers important practical implications for organizations, including: (1) the need to balance performance expectations with support systems for employee well-being, (2) the importance of investing in AI training and development programs to enhance employee resilience, and (3) the value of creating organizational cultures that promote both technological adaptation and psychological safety in increasingly AI-integrated work environments.</p>