Influence of knowledge management practices on librarians' competency in artificial intelligence in tertiary institutions of Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.

Introduction: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in library services has highlighted the need for librarians to acquire relevant competencies. Knowledge Management Practices (KMP) including knowledge acquisition, organization, sharing, and application play a pivotal role in enhancing librarians' AI capabilities. However, in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria, librarians face challenges in adopting these practices effectively, resulting in skill gaps that affect academic service delivery.

Methods: This study employed a quantitative survey design and utilized census sampling to include all 28 professional librarians from three tertiary institutions in Lokoja. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire focusing on current KM practices, AI competencies, and associated challenges. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 25, with a significance threshold set at 0.05.

Results: The findings revealed that knowledge sharing (100%), digital repositories (92%), and taxonomy development (82%) were the most commonly adopted KM practices. Regression analysis demonstrated a significant positive relationship (R = 0.78; R² = 0.61) between KM practices and librarians' AI competencies. Among the predictors, knowledge sharing had the strongest influence (β = 0.41). Key challenges identified include technical issues (mean = 3.00), lack of training (2.89), and insufficient managerial support (2.89).

Discussion: The results confirm that KMP significantly enhance librarians' competency in managing AI-generated information and supporting users. However, limited proficiency in technical AI domains such as machine learning and natural language processing indicates a need for specialized training. The study underscores the necessity of investing in infrastructure, continuous professional development, and strategic leadership support to maximize the benefits of KMP in AI integration.