Determinants of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Utilisation for Teaching and Research among Polytechnic Lecturers in Nigeria

Abstract

This study assesses the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for teaching and research among polytechnic lecturers in Nigeria. It examines the influence of lecturer awareness, individual characteristics, institutional support, perceived benefits, and existing challenges on AI adoption. Adopting a quantitative research design, a structured online questionnaire was administered to lecturers nationwide, resulting in 97% valid responses. Data were analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis at a 0.05 level of significance. Reliability analysis confirmed the internal consistency of the constructs, with Cronbach’s Alpha values ranging from 0.666 to 0.883. Findings reveal that while lecturers possess a moderate level of awareness and recognize the benefits of AI, actual utilization remains moderate to low. Correlation analysis indicates that all independent variables relate positively to AI use; however, multiple regression reveals that institutional support and prevailing challenges are the only significant predictors of AI utilization, accounting for 39.6% of the variance in adoption. The study concludes that awareness and individual effort are insufficient for technology integration without systemic support and concerted efforts to mitigate the prevailing challenges to AI utilization such as inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, poor internet connectivity, and insufficient training. It recommends that the government and Polytechnic management should prioritize funding for ICT infrastructure, establish AI policy frameworks, and provide structured capacity-building workshops to bridge the gap between awareness and practical application.