Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) offers a paradigm shift to crowdsourcing platforms. Our research examines the impact of introducing GAI on user trust in crowdsourcing platforms. It draws on control theory and psychological empowerment theory to explore how GAI influences user trust via psychological empowerment and perceived risk. The findings, which are consistent with theories, suggest that GAI's introduction in crowdsourcing platforms influences user trust by enhancing psychological empowerment and reducing the perceived risk to a greater extent with complex or creative tasks (macrotasks) than microtasks. The findings contribute to the GAI literature by providing a better understanding of user trust toward GAI in crowdsourcing, offering a nuanced understanding of GAI’s application for supporting macrotasks versus microtasks, and integrating control theory and psychological empowerment theory to understand GAI’s impact.