AI USE PROFICIENCY AS A PREDICTOR OF ACADEMIC AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SELF-EFFICACY AMONG BUSINESS EDUCATION STUDENTS IN PUBLIC TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ANAMBRA STATE
Abstract
The growing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education has transformed learning, research, and entrepreneurial development, thereby increasing the need for students to acquire competencies in the effective use of AI technologies. This study examined AI use proficiency as a predictor of academic self-efficacy and entrepreneurial self-efficacy among Business Education students in public tertiary institutions in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study adopted a correlational research design. The population comprised undergraduate Business Education students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam; and the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze. A sample of 300 respondents was selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected using the Artificial Intelligence Use Proficiency and Self-Efficacy Scale (AIUPSES), which was validated by experts and yielded reliability coefficients of 0.87, 0.84, and 0.86 for the AI use proficiency, academic self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy scales, respectively. Data were analyzed using simple linear regression and multivariate analysis of variance at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that AI use proficiency significantly predicted academic self-efficacy and entrepreneurial self-efficacy among Business Education students. The study further found that AI use proficiency exerted a significant combined influence on academic and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The study concludes that AI use proficiency is an important competence that enhances students’ confidence in their academic and entrepreneurial capabilities. It was recommended, among others, that AI competency training should be integrated into Business Education curricula and that tertiary institutions should provide opportunities for students to develop practical AI skills relevant to learning and entrepreneurship.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence Use Proficiency, Academic Self-Efficacy, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Business Education, Higher Education, Artificial Intelligence
Victor U. Ezeonwumelu1* and Chioma L. Ikeanyionwu2
1Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
2Department of Business Education, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze
*Corresponding Author: Victor U. Ezeonwumelu
Email: vu.ezeonwumelu@unizik.edu.ng
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5811-9459