Abstract

The increasing adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public administration has raised questions about factors influencing its acceptance and usage among government employees. This study examined the demographic predictors of AI acceptance and usage among local government employees in Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the influence of age, gender, educational qualification, job position, and work experience on employees' acceptance and usage of AI tools. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 210 local government employees selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. The data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire adapted from validated technology acceptance models. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, independent t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis with the aid of SPSS version 26. The findings revealed that all the demographic variables studied significantly influenced AI acceptance and usage. Younger employees, male staff, those with higher educational qualifications, and employees with fewer years of work experience exhibited higher levels of AI acceptance and usage. Furthermore, job position was found to be a significant predictor, with senior and management staff showing varied levels of adoption. The multiple regression analysis confirmed that demographic factors collectively explained a significant portion of the variance in AI acceptance among local government employees. The study concludes that demographic characteristics are critical determinants of AI adoption in Nigeria's local government system. Therefore, strategic interventions such as targeted training, gender-inclusive policies, continuous professional development, and robust infrastructural support are recommended to enhance AI acceptance and usage across diverse employee groups.