ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION: IMPACT ON BUSINESS IDEA GENERATION AND STARTUP READINESS AMONG UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

This study assessed the Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Entrepreneurship Education: Impact on Business Idea Generation and Startup Readiness among University of Calabar Undergraduates. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 122 final-year Business Education students, consisting of 73 males and 49 females. A structured questionnaire titled Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Entrepreneurship Education: Impact on Business Idea Generation and Startup Readiness Questionnaire (IAEEIBIGSRQ) was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and independent t-test statistics, while hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that AI tools significantly influence students’ ability to brainstorm, refine, and evaluate innovative business ideas, thereby enhancing creativity, confidence, and originality in entrepreneurship education. Similarly, AI tools positively impacted students’ startup readiness by providing decision-making support, marketing strategies, and managerial knowledge, though their influence on legal and ethical aspects of startups was found to be limited. The results further showed no significant difference between male and female students in their perceptions, indicating that AI’s benefits are consistent across gender. The study concludes that AI is a vital enabler of entrepreneurial competencies, equipping undergraduates with the skills required to thrive in a digitally driven business environment. It recommends the integration of AI-driven modules into the entrepreneurship curriculum, training on advanced AI applications, inclusion of legal and ethical considerations, and industry collaborations to strengthen the relevance of entrepreneurship education in Nigeria.