Mentorship as a Catalyst for AI-Driven HR Transformation: A Study of Agripreneurial Upskilling in Bamenda Northwest Region Cameroon

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into human resource management (HRM) presents transformative opportunities for agricultural entrepreneurship in developing economies. This study investigated mentorship as a catalyst for AI-driven HR transformation among 212 agripreneurs in Bamenda, Cameroon. Using a cross-sectional survey and multiple regression analysis, the findings reveal that mentorship programs have a positive and significant influence on AI integration into HRM practices (β = 0.413, p < 0.01), explaining 30% of the variance. Structured coaching plans showed a positive but insignificant effect (β = 0.128, p = 0.078). Gender significantly moderated the relationship, with women showing higher AI integration scores (β = 0.096, p < 0.05). The study extends Socio-Technical Systems Theory and the Dynamic Theory of Organizational Knowledge Creation to the agricultural entrepreneurship context, demonstrating that mentorship facilitates tacit knowledge transfer essential for AI adoption. Practical implications include implementing structured mentorship programs, combining technical training with change management, and targeting women agripreneurs. Given the cross-sectional design, causal relationships cannot be definitively established.