EMPOWERING WOMEN IN AI-DRIVEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP: CLOSING GAPS AND UNLOCKING POTENTIALS: A STUDY OF WOMEN OF KAFANCHAN

Abstract

The increasing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving entrepreneurship and economic growth necessitates a deeper understanding of its impact on women in developing regions. The study examined the level of awareness and understanding, types of empowerments and the challenges that women face with AI-driven entrepreneurship with particular references to the women of Kafanchan in Kaduna State. The study was anchored on Technological Acceptance Model which holds that users come to accept and use technology based on their perceptions of its usefulness and ease of use. 20 women who are entrepreneurs in Kafanchan were selected using availability sampling and were interviewed through in-depth interview after which data were analyzed via narration. The study found out that women in Kafanchan have limited awareness and education of AI-driven entrepreneurship. Also, education on AI-driven entrepreneurship, financial empowerment, internet infrastructural improvement, skill acquisitions and access to technological gadgets were revealed as the most needed empowerments among women of Kafanchan. The study unveiled internet infrastructural deficit, lack of access to smartphones and technology, lack of training and mentorship on artificial intelligence and its usage as the challenges. Hence, the study concluded that providing access to digital infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and offering mentorship and networking opportunities is ultimate. It was recommended that government, policy makers and Leaders of Kafanchan local government council should create awareness and education via workshops on AIdriven entrepreneurship, provide access to technology, promote digital literacy, improve internet infrastructures and provide financial empowerment to encourage women's application of AI-driven entrepreneurship in Kafanchan.