ADMINISTRATORS’ UTILIZATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN STUDENTS’ PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the utilization of Artificial Intelligence in students’ personnel management in public universities in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey design because data were collected from all the 159 institutional administrators in the two public Universities in Cross River State (University of Calabar and Cross River State University). The census approach was adopted in drawing the population because they were manageable. A 24-item validated instrument titled: Utilization of Artificial Intelligence in Students’ Personnel Management Questionnaire (UAISPMQ) was used to collect data for the study. The instrument was validated and its reliability was established using Cronbach alpha, which yielded a coefficient of 0.87, which was adjudged good enough for data collection. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation and independent t-test statistics. Finding revealed that artificial intelligence is yet to be effectively applied in students' personnel management functions in the universities. It was also found that the major challenges encountered in applying AI in students' personnel management as indicated by the respondents include lack of funds, inadequate IT infrastructure, insufficient technical skills, poor internet connectivity, lack of management support and resistance to change by staff. The study recommends amongst others that institutional administrators should invest in continuous training and capacity-building programs to ensure that faculty members and staff are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively leverage Artificial Intelligence in various aspects of student personnel management.