IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE SURVIVAL OF SMALL SCALE COURIER COMPANIES IN ILORIN

Small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the global economy, as they often represent a significant portion of businesses and job opportunities. They can be found in various sectors, including manufacturing, retail, services, technology, and more. SMEs are known for their flexibility, innovation, and ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions. They can benefit from technology, including AI, to enhance their operations, competitiveness, and growth. This study was anchored on resource orchestration (RO) theory which constitutes a comprehensive theoretical perspective that explains how companies transform their resources and capabilities to create and maintain value for businesses and customers. This study used descriptive design. Primary data were utilized for the study through questionnaires with a sample size of three hundred and twelve (312). The quantitative data generated were presented and analyzed using table of frequency distribution, simple percentage using a Statistical Social Science Package (Version 2.0). The thesis findings revealed that a growing acceptance and adoption of AI technologies among SMEs, driven by the pursuit of operational efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced competitiveness. The realization that AI is not exclusive to large corporations but can be a powerful catalyst for growth in smaller enterprises has spurred a paradigm shift in the business ecosystem. The impact of AI on the workforce within the survival of SMEs is a multifaceted aspect. This study concludes that AI technology has become a developing application that has helped to enhance and improve how SMEs effectively transact their business and yield better income when properly used over a period. Although AI technology use to some SMEs is so challenging, they have been able to devise measures in overcoming them and using the same technology to their advantage on many occasions. The following recommendations were made; SMEs should increase their specialized technical expertise in AI based customer service which should be designed as customer-friendliness relation in mind can lower barriers to entry of new product. Seek out or develop AI tools that are accessible to users with varying levels of technical proficiency, enabling widespread adoption. Keep the customer at the center of AI initiatives. Understand customer needs, preferences, and concerns related to AI applications. Communicate transparently about how AI is being used to enhance products or services, fostering trust and loyalty among customers.