Factors Influencing Teachers’ Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Effective Teaching of Business Education in Colleges of Education in Anambra State

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence technologies in educational settings has emerged as critical for enhancing effective teaching, particularly in business education where technological competency is essential for preparing students for the digital economy. Despite global AI advancements, integration of artificial intelligence in business education across colleges of education in Anambra State appears minimal, creating a gap between technological advancement and educational practice attributed to internal and external factors. This study determined factors influencing teachers' integration of AI in business education for effective teaching in colleges of education in Anambra State, specifically examining external and internal factors. A descriptive survey design involved 86 business educators from two colleges of education in Anambra State using census sampling technique, with data collected through a validated 13-item questionnaire achieving reliability coefficients of 0.74 and 0.72 respectively. Findings revealed that all seven external factors (ICT infrastructure, technical support, external partnerships, institutional policies, AI tools availability, internet access, and institutional training) significantly influence AI integration with cluster mean of 3.32, while six internal factors (teacher confidence, alignment with teaching goals, training limitations, fear of mistakes, ethical concerns, and openness to experimentation) were equally significant with cluster mean of 3.42, both exceeding 2.50 cutoff point. The study concludes that business educators recognize the importance of both external infrastructural support and internal psychological-pedagogical factors in AI integration, demonstrating readiness for adoption when adequate support systems are provided, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in infrastructure development and professional development programs.