Abstract The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed higher education, research, and entrepreneurial practices across the globe. However, its adoption in Nigerian universities, particularly in the South-East, remains limited. This study investigates the effect of AI on research in business and entrepreneurship education in federal universities within the South-East region of Nigeria. Specifically, the study examines how AI tools for data analysis and market research influence research quality and assesses the effect of AI applications on students’ entrepreneurial learning and development. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed, and data were collected from 207 undergraduate students of business and entrepreneurship education using a structured questionnaire validated with a reliability coefficient of 0.81. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Artificial Intelligence in Business and Entrepreneurship Education Index (AIBEEI). Data were analyzed using the Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings reveal that AI tools for data analysis and market research significantly improve the quality of research in business and entrepreneurship education. Similarly, AI applications such as business simulation platforms and predictive analytics significantly enhance students’ entrepreneurial learning, creativity, and innovation. The study concludes that integrating AI into business and entrepreneurship education strengthens research productivity, fosters entrepreneurial competence, and equips graduates with relevant skills for a technology-driven economy. It is recommended that universities in South-East Nigeria incorporate AI-driven platforms into their curricula and provide training workshops for both students and lecturers to maximize the benefits of AI for research and entrepreneurial development.
Shaibu et al. (Tue,) studied this question.