Exploring the Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Virtual Prototyping and Testing of Metal Work Technology in South Eastern Nigeria

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an application that produces opportunities for education to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of instructional practices. This study explores the integration of AI into virtual prototype and testing in metal work technology education in south eastern Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the need for adoption of AI into virtual prototype testing, challenges of adopting AI into virtual prototype testing and ways of mitigating the challenges. Two hypotheses guided the research. The study adopted a survey research design and was conducted at federal universities in South-East Nigeria. The population for the study was 151 Industrial Technical Educators (ITE) comprising of 79 ITE lecturers and 72 ITE instructors in south east Nigeria. A structured questionnaire having 5-points Likert Scale options, consisting of 36 items was used for data collection. Cronbach Alpha reliability technique was used to determine the internal consistency of the items of the instrument, which yielded an overall reliability coefficient of 0.87. The data collected were analysed using mean and T-test for testing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. It was found out among others that adoption of AI in virtual prototype and testing will significantly improve design accuracy and reduces material wastage in practical. It was recommended that, the ways of mitigating the challenges in adoption of AI in prototype and testing should be employed to be able to produces globally competitive graduates of metalwork in Nigeria.