ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE GROWTH OF WOMEN-SPECIFIC SERVICE-ORIENTED ENTERPRISES IN LAFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The rapid diffusion of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across global economic landscapes has fundamentally altered how enterprises deliver and offer services. Service-oriented enterprises are widely recognised as engines of economic growth, and the specific role of AI in empowering women entrepreneurs in Lafia Local Government, Nasarawa State is under-explored. This study examines the relationship between artificial intelligence and the growth of women-specific service-oriented enterprises in Lafia Local Government, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The study was guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework. The study was
qualitative, incorporating focus group discussions (FGD) and a key informant interview guide (KII), which were adopted for the study with stakeholders such as AI developers, local government officials, and successful women entrepreneurs. The study employs purposive sampling to select participants from the six political units (Adogi, Ashinge, Chiroma, Makama, Shabu/Kwandere, and
Lafia Central) within Lafia LGA. Two FGDs and four KIIs were conducted in each political unit. The article argues that while AI presents transformative growth opportunities for service enterprises in Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, in terms of increased revenue, improved efficiency, and faster decision-making, adoption of AI is hindered by factors such as socio-cultural constraints, limited digital literacy, and poor infrastructure. The study highlights the need for policy interventions and financial support programmes targeted at digital literacy training. By demonstrating the link between AI adoption and enterprise growth, this research contributes to the growing body of literature on women’s entrepreneurship in developing economies and on the role
of AI in promoting growth through MSMEs.