USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS FOR RESEARCH AMONG MASTER IN INFORMATION MANAGEMENT STUDENTS OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

The main purpose of the study was to determine the challenges in the use of artificial intelligence tools for research among Master in Information Management (MIM) students in Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The objectives of the study are to identify the type of artificial intelligence tools used for research; to find out the challenges faced with the use of the AI tools for research and the strategies for enhancing the effective use of AI tools for research. Quantitative research methodology and descriptive survey research were adopted for the study; the population of the study comprises of year 2023/2024 MIM students in the Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Education, A.B.U., Zaria. The subjects of the study were drawn using a total enumeration sampling. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics such as table, frequency and mean. The study found out that only ChatGPT and Poor power supply, poor Internet connectivity, lack of knowledge of the technology, insufficient funding and high cost of AI tools are the major challenges to effective use of AI tools faced by MIM students and consistent training and retraining, creating awareness, organising seminars and workshops regularly, adequate funding, employment of AI experts, developing effective artificial intelligence policy, and consultations. The study concluded that MIM students in the department for research are faced with various challenges in the use of AI tools for their research. The study therefore recommends that the department’s management should organise regular workshops, seminars and training by creating awareness on the importance of AI-tools and enhance efficient and effective use for research among postgraduate students.