ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) COMPETENCIES AND UTILIZATION OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARY SERVICES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR.
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Competencies, AI Literacy Competency, AI Application University Library Services, Library Utilization, Undergraduate Students.Abstract
The present research evaluated AI competencies as it relates to utilization of university library services among undergraduate students in the University of Calabar, with utilization of university library services as the dependent variable. Artificial intelligence competencies were conceptualized using two dimensions: artificial intelligence literacy competency and artificial intelligence application competency. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 40,645 undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University of Calabar, from which undergraduate students constituted the focus of the investigation. A sample of 200 respondents was selected using a simple random sampling technique to ensure adequate representation of the study population. Data were collected using a researcher-designed structured questionnaire titled "Artificial Intelligence Competencies and Utilization of University Library Services Questionnaire (AICUULSQ)." The instrument was validated by experts in Library and Information Science, Educational Technology, and Measurement and Evaluation, while its reliability was established using the Cronbach Alpha reliability method, with the reliability coefficients confirming that the instrument was suitable for data collection. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the two null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that artificial intelligence literacy competency has a significant positive relationship with the utilization of university library services among undergraduate students in the University of Calabar. The study further established that artificial intelligence application competency significantly influences the utilization of university library services. Based on the findings, it was recommended, among others, that the University of Calabar Library should organize regular training programmes and workshops aimed at improving students' artificial intelligence competencies and integrate AI-powered library services to enhance information retrieval, access to electronic resources, and overall library service utilization among undergraduate students.
