Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Indigenous Knowledge and Entrepreneurial Skills Development among Business Education Students in Delta State.

Abstract

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed various sectors, including education and entrepreneurship. This study examines the role of AI in enhancing indigenous knowledge and entrepreneurial skills development among Business Education students in Delta State. It explores the level of AI awareness and usage among students, the extent to which AI facilitates the integration of indigenous knowledge into entrepreneurial training, and the impact of AI on entrepreneurial skills development. Adopting a descriptive survey research design, the study sampled 185 Business Education students from tertiary institutions in Delta State. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis. The findings revealed that while students have a high level of awareness of AI tools, their practical application in entrepreneurship remains low. AI was found to play a crucial role in preserving and integrating indigenous knowledge into modern business practices through digital documentation, market intelligence, and language processing technologies. The study concludes that AI has the potential to transform Business Education by bridging the gap between traditional indigenous business practices and modern entrepreneurial approaches. However, despite its growing relevance, limited hands-on engagement with AI tools hinders its full adoption among students. To address this, the integration of AI training into Business Education curricula is essential, along with the development of AI-driven platforms for preserving indigenous knowledge and fostering innovation. Additionally, the establishment of AI-supported business incubation centers would provide students with practical exposure to AI applications in entrepreneurship.