UNDERSTANDING NON-UTILIZATION OF AI TOOLS FOR RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC WRITING AMONG ACADEMIC STAFF IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES: A PARADIGM SHIFT

This study investigates the non-utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for research and academic writing among academic staff at Kaduna State University (KASU), Nigeria, employing the Perceived Attributes of Innovation Theory as a theoretical framework. Despite the acknowledged benefits of AI in enhancing research productivity and efficiency, a significant gap remains in the adoption of these tools within academic settings. Through qualitative methodology, a semi-structured interview with 20 purposively selected participants, the research identifies key barriers to AI tool utilization. Findings reveal that academic staff face challenges such as lack of awareness, limited access to technology, high subscription costs, fear of plagiarism, and a preference for traditional methodologies. Moreover, concerns around the complexity of AI tools, their compatibility with existing practices, and the lack of visible benefits contribute to the reluctance to integrate AI into academic workflows. The study recommended the need for targeted training, institutional support, and awareness campaigns to address these perceptions and encourage the adoption of AI tools, ultimately aiming to enhance academic writing and research outputs in Nigerian universities.