INTEGRATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INTO RESEARCH IN BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study investigated the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into research in business and entrepreneurship education in tertiary institutions in South-East Nigeria. Three research questions and hypotheses were formulated for the study. The descriptive survey design was adopted, with a population of 5,000 lecturers and students across fifteen tertiary institutions. A multistage sampling technique was used to select a sample of 200 respondents. Data were collected using a validated and reliable questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83) and analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests. Findings revealed a moderate extent of AI integration into research activities (grand mean = 3.05), with limited utilization of advanced tools such as plagiarism checkers and predictive analytics. Major challenges identified included poor digital infrastructure, inadequate funding, limited digital literacy, weak institutional policies, and the high cost of AI tools (grand mean = 3.55). Respondents strongly agreed on strategies to enhance AI integration (grand mean = 3.67), emphasizing capacity-building, funding, infrastructure upgrades, curriculum reform, and industry collaboration. Hypotheses testing showed no significant differences between public and private institutions or between lecturers and students regarding integration, challenges, and strategies. The study concludes that while AI awareness is growing, systemic barriers hinder deeper adoption. It recommends policy support, increased funding, capacity-building, curriculum reforms, infrastructure investment, and stronger industry partnerships to fully harness AI’s potential in business and entrepreneurship education research.