| Abstract: |
Steady advancements in digital technologies are facilitating human-machine interaction to rival human conversations in many societies. Human-machine exchanges have received further boosts through Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered virtual assistants (VA) in intelligent devices such as Siri, Cortana, Alexa and Assistant. As mobile devices spread within African communities, beyond urban areas to rural communities, an increasing demand exists to integrate African communications systems into the global digital ecosystem. Given that most African languages are expressed orally, AI and virtual assistants could be the key to facilitating inclusive communication. This study utilised a pragmatic mixed research method to evaluate how Nigerian smartphone users in Lagos currently use and accept AI-powered voice-enabled virtual assistants. Using SPSS and Nvivo to analyse surveys of 357 persons and nine interviews and deducing from the media richness and the uses and gratifications theories, results show that virtual assistant awareness in Lagos is low. However, those who use using the tools find richness and satisfaction in interacting with VAs to carry out communications tasks. Current challenges exist that pertain to accents, internet access and localised languages. To ensure that voice-enabled VAs can truly solve financial and educational inclusion challenges across Nigeria, further extensive studies are needed using a wider population. |
