Developing Responsible AI Awareness among SMEs in Northern Nigeria to Bridge the AI Divide: A Participatory Case Study

Abstract

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) offers new opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), yetadoption across developing economies, and particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, remains uneven due tolimited awareness, AI literacy, and ethical guidance. Adopting a socio-technical perspective, this studyexamines how participatory awareness initiatives shape readiness for the responsible adoption ofgenerative AI among SMEs in a resource-constrained context. Drawing on a participatory case study of anAI awareness workshop involving 170 SMEs in Gombe State, Nigeria, the study combines pre- and post-workshop surveys with qualitative analysis of discussions, observations, and reflections. The findings showthat hands-on engagement with accessible generative AI tools produced substantial shifts in perception,confidence, AI literacy, and ethical awareness, enabling early technology appropriation despite persistentinfrastructural and financial constraints. Ethical understanding developed primarily through situatedpractice rather than compliance-based frameworks, while peer-led learning networks supported continuedexperimentation. The study contributes to the ICT for Development and responsible AI literature bydemonstrating that participatory awareness initiatives can foster both technical readiness and ethicaljudgement, offering an inclusive pathway to bridge the AI divide among SMEs in developing economies.

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