EXPLORING THE INTEGRATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN COUNSELLING SERVICES IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN ANAMBRA STATE: CHALLENGES AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES

Abstract This study explored the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)in counselling services in public universities in Anambra State: challenges and improvement strategies. Three research questions guided the study and a descriptive survey research design employed in the study. Population for the study comprised all the 34 counsellors in two (Federal and State government-owned) public universities in Anambra State. Sample size for the study constituted 34 counsellors from the two public universities selected using the purposive sampling technique. A 31-item researcher self-developed questionnaire, structured on a 4-point rating scale and titled: “Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Counselling Services Questionnaire (IAICSQ)”, served as instrument for data collection. This research instrument was validated by three experts; two from the Department of Guidance and Counselling and one Measurement and Evaluation expert from the Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State. Reliability of the research instrument was determined through a pilot test carried out by selecting 15 counsellors from one of the public universities in Enugu State, and the scores obtained after collation from the questionnaire were computed using Cronbach Alpha statistics which gave internal consistency reliability value of 0.86, 0.83 and 0.92 which were added up to yield an overall reliability value of 0.87, showing that the instrument was reliable to conduct the study. Data were analyzed using the mean statisticsrated at 2.50 and standard deviation statistics. The findings of the study revealed among others thatthe current state of integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in counselling services in public universities in Anambra State was non-existence, meaning that AI was not integrated in counselling services in the public universities.From the findings of this study, recommendations were proffered and among them include that the public universities through the support of the National Universities Commission (NUC) should ensure effective integration of AI in counselling services in public universities in Anambra State, by initiating/establishing digital platforms which provides automated counselling support, organizing continuous capacity building training for university counsellors, student affairs officers, and ICT staff through workshops and certification programmes to enhance their digital literacy and AI readiness. This will increase their competence and confidence in using AI-powered platforms for student support services likewise improve the current state of AI integration in counselling services.