Factors influencing the adoption and intensity of use of AI chatbots for online purchasing in Nigeria

The study investigated factors influencing the adoption and intensity of the use of AI chatbots for online purchasing in Nigeria. A simple random technique was used to select three hundred and twenty respondents in the study area. Information was elicited on the socioeconomic characteristics and factors influencing the adoption and intensity of usage of AI chatbots with the aid of structured questionnaires. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression models. The descriptive statistics were mean, frequency count, standard deviation, and simple percentage. The result revealed an equal distribution of males (50%) and females (50%) in the study area. It was also revealed that the majority (22.5%) of the respondents were between the age of 21-25. Also, the majority (48.93%) of the respondents had completed their first degree and were employed. The result also showed that the majority of the respondents were non-users of online purchasing mediums. From the regression analysis, it was concluded that socio-demographic factors such as age (5%) and years of education (5%) significantly influence the adoption of AI chatbots for online purchases, furthermore, web-based factors like online literacy (5%) and data usage (5%) significantly affect the intensity of AI chatbot use. Perception of risk (1%) and convenience (1%) were significant risk factors influencing the respondents' adoption of AI. The study recommended that educational institutions incorporate digital literacy programs into their curriculum to empower people. Efforts should be made to make data packages more affordable for Nigerians which could improve accessibility to AI chatbots, thereby promoting their intensive use for online purchases.