Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration and Business Sustainability in Enugu State: Implications for Co-operative Enterprises

This study examined artificial intelligence integration and business sustainability in Enugu State and its implications for co-operative enterprises. The specific objectives were to ascertain the extent the integration of artificial intelligence influence the sustainability of co-operative business enterprises and to evaluate the extent the challenges of co-operative business enterprises influence the integration of artificial intelligence. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study, with a population of 322, consequently adopted as the sample size owing to its manageable size. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and validated through content and face validity. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument, with reliability coefficient of 0.84, indicating that the instrument was reliable. Data were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and means through a 5 points Likert Scale. Formulated hypotheses were tested using simple linear regression. Findings showed that the integration of artificial intelligence had significant positive influence on sustainability of co-operative business enterprises (r2 = 0.500, f = 0.206, p < 0.05); challenges of co-operative business enterprises had significant positive influence on the integration of artificial intelligence (r2 = 0.371, f = 4.394, p < 0.05). The study therefore concluded that the integration of artificial intelligence significantly boosts co-operative business sustainability and consequently driven by the challenges these enterprises face. Recommendations were made among others that Co-operatives should embrace AI smartly, train their teams, and use it to stay efficient long-term.