Artificial Intelligence Competencies Perceived as Important for Office Technology and Management Graduates in Contemporary Workplaces

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly reshaping workplace tasks, including activities traditionally performed by Office Technology and Management (OTM) personnel. This study examined the AI competencies that office workers in contemporary workplaces in Makurdi, Benue State, perceive as important for OTM graduates and identified areas in which new employees may require additional preparation. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Data were collected from 100 office workers drawn from administrative/office management, human resources, finance/accounting, customer service, operations, ICT/technology, and management/supervisory functions. A structured questionnaire measured the perceived importance of eleven AI-related competencies and respondents’ views of the adequacy of AI preparation among new employees. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and ranking. The overall mean importance rating was 4.30 on a five-point scale. Evaluation and verification of AI-generated information recorded the highest mean (4.47), followed by responsible and ethical AI use (4.45), effective use of generative AI (4.42), and data privacy and confidentiality (4.40). Sixty-six percent of respondents indicated some degree of inadequacy in the AI preparation of new employees, while