Advanced scientific and technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), are recognized as the driving force behind the emergence of new quality productive forces. The paths and mechanisms of influence between AI and productivity, however, remain unclear. A comparison between new quality productive forces and traditional productivity was first conducted, followed by an elucidation of the characteristics of new quality productive forces elements at the employee, enterprise, and industry levels, along with the application characteristics of AI. At the employee level, the “automation-enhancement" pathway was studied, along with Al's role in capability integration, learning, and reconfiguration. At the enterprise level, Al's role in enterprise functions such as marketing, innovation, and strategic decision-making is studied. Also, the structuring, restructuring, and utilization of resources are investigated. Additionally, the research delves into Al's role in shaping industry-level dynamics via the industrial, innovation, capital, and talent chains, and the mechanisms of labor substitution, spillover integration, technological innovation, and ecological synergies. Recommendations are made to support new quality productive forces development in the short, medium, and long terms. Knowledge on AI's role in new quality productive forces is expanded by the exploration, and discussion with related research is fostered.