Academicians' Attitude Towards AI in Plateau State, Nigeria

Attitude and Perceptions of Academicians on Artificial Intelligence Technology in Plateau State, Nigeria Dr. Gwaison Panan Danladi Department of Economics Nigerian Police Academy Wudil_Kano, Nigeria panan_gwaison@yahoo.com 07068147148

Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force across various sectors of society, including education, healthcare, business, and governance. As an interdisciplinary technology, AI encompasses machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, and other computational techniques aimed at mimicking human intelligence. Globally, the adoption of AI has been rapidly increasing, driven by its ability to automate tasks, analyze large datasets, and enhance decision-making. In academic environments, AI holds significant potential to revolutionize research, teaching, and administrative processes, making it a subject of growing interest among scholars and educators

Intro. Count. In Nigeria, the integration of AI technology into academic settings is still in its nascent stage. Plateau State, known for its vibrant academic institutions and growing interest in technology, provides a unique context for understanding how academicians perceive and respond to AI. Another critical dimension to consider is the disparity in technology adoption between urban and rural academic institutions within Plateau State. Furthermore, the ethical and practical concerns associated with AI adoption cannot be overlooked. Issues such as bias in AI algorithms, the potential for misuse, and the ethical dilemmas posed by automation in education require a nuanced understanding.

Objectives of the Study i. To find out the attitude of academicians on artificial intelligence technology in Plateau State, Nigeria. ii. To examine the perceptions of academicians on artificial intelligence technology in Plateau State, Nigeria. iii. To accesses the impact of gender, age, educational level and marital status on academicians attitude and perception on artificial intelligence technology in Plateau State, Nigeria.

Methodology This study employs a descriptive survey research design The study focuses on academicians from tertiary institutions in Plateau State, Nigeria, ensuring diverse representation across different disciplines, gender, age groups, and educational levels. The sample for the study was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A total of 250 academicians were sampled, drawn from universities, colleges of education, and polytechnics within the state. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was established through a pilot study conducted with 30 academicians outside the main sample. Content validity was ensured by seeking expert opinions from professionals in AI technology and research methodology. The reliability of the instrument was tested using Cronbach s alpha a coefficient of 0.811 obtained Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and percentages), inferential statistics such as chi-square and logistic regression

Result Presentation Table 1: Analysis of Responses from the Questionnaire Items No. of Percentage Respondents (%) Questionnaire distributed 150 100 Questionnaire retrieved 138 92 Un-retrieved Questionnaire 12 8 Wrongly filled questionnaires 9 6 Questionnaire used in 129 86 analysis

Table 2: Socio-Demographic Variables of the Respondents Variables Gender Frequency 83 46 129 17 33 67 Percentage (%) 64.3 35.7 100.0 13.2 25.6 51.9 Male Female Total 21 30 years 31 40 years 41 50 years 51 years and above Total Bachelor s Degree Age 12 9.3 129 100.0 Educational Level 18 14.0 Master s Degree Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) Others Total Single Married Divorced Widowed Total 47 36.4 63 48.8 1 129 27 77 13 12 129 .8 100.0 20.9 59.7 10.1 9.3 100.0 Marital Status

Table 3: Descriptive Statistics Results on the attitude of academicians on artificial intelligence technology in Plateau State, Nigeria Decision Item Statement AI technology is a threat to traditional teaching and research methods. AI tools are expensive and difficult to implement in the academic sector. The integration of AI in academics may lead to job displacement. N Min Max Mean Std. Deviation Low 129 1 5 2.90 1.457 Low 129 1 5 3.23 1.471 Low 129 1 5 2.60 1.471 AI technology can bridge the gap in access to quality education. Low 129 1 5 2.70 1.390 The ethical implications of AI adoption in academics are significant. Valid N (listwise) Low 129 1 5 2.71 1.660 129

Table 4: Descriptive Statistics Results on the perception of academicians on artificial intelligence technology in Plateau State, Nigeria Decision Item Statement AI technology is a threat to traditional teaching and research methods. AI tools are expensive and difficult to implement in the academic sector. The integration of AI in academics may lead to job displacement. N Min Max Mean Std. Deviation Low 129 1 5 2.90 1.457 Low 129 1 5 3.23 1.471 Low 129 1 5 2.60 1.471 AI technology can bridge the gap in access to quality education. Low 129 1 5 2.70 1.390 The ethical implications of AI adoption in academics are significant. Valid N (listwise) Low 129 1 5 2.71 1.660 129

Table 5: Chi-Square Results on the attitude of academicians on artificial intelligence technology in Plateau State, Nigeria Asymptotic Significance (2- sided) .000 Value 125.762a Df 19 Pearson Chi-Square Likelihood Ratio 164.717 19 .000 Linear-by-Linear Association 111.716 1 .000 N of Valid Cases 129

Table 6: Chi-Square Results on the perception of academicians on artificial intelligence technology in Plateau State, Nigeria. Asymptotic Significance (2- sided) .000 Value 123.819a Df 17 Pearson Chi-Square Likelihood Ratio 162.486 17 .000 Linear-by-Linear Association 96.258 1 .000 N of Valid Cases 129

Table 7: Logistic regression results on the impact of gender, age, educational level and marital status on academicians attitudes and perceptions on artificial intelligence technology in Plateau State, Nigeria B S.E. Wald df Sig. Exp(B) Step 1a Gender 24.269 8202.232 .000 1 .000 .000 Age .372 9297.470 .000 1 .981 1.451 EduLevel 17.935 7464.810 .000 1 .000 .000 MaritalStat us .172 6874.857 .000 1 .141 1.188 Constant 79.447 13704.268.000 1 .995 .3185

Conclusion In conclusion, this study highlights that academicians in Plateau State, Nigeria, exhibit a statistically significant poor attitude and perception towards artificial intelligence (AI) technology, reflecting skepticism and concerns about its impact on academic practices, ethical implications, and implementation challenges. The findings also reveal that gender and educational level significantly influence these attitudes and perceptions, while age and marital status do not.

Recommendations Enhance Awareness and Education on AI Technology Offer Targeted AI Training Programs Promote Gender-Inclusive AI Initiatives Integrate AI Education into Academic Curricula Establish Ethical Guidelines for AI Use in Academia

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