REPOSITIONING THE IGBO ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH OF IGBA BOI IN AN ERA OF AI-POWERED TECHNOLOGY

In the traditional Igbo context, hard work is given a pride of place. That has resulted in evident boost especially in commercial enterprise. More so, the communitarian mentality of onyeaghala nwanne ya (don't leave your brother/sister behind) helped in a near chain approach their entrepreneurial ventures that gave rise to ?gba boi (apprenticeship) It is a community-oriented system of mentorship in business ventures. Consequent upon the fact the Igbos practiced extended family system, thus the spirit of extended assistance through apprenticeship is highly promoted. In that regard, the ?ga (Master) has nwa-b??(apprentice) who he devotes his time in guiding in a particular trade. The apprenticeship last for an agreed number of years. At the end, he settles the nwa-b??with a huge sum of money in order to help him kick-start his own business. The nwa-b??now assumes full responsibility of his own business. In some case, the master further assists him by giving him some goods in hire purchase. But recently, the practice of ?gba boi is gradually fading away because many young people are desirous of quick money and that has even resulted in some umu-bo?(apprentices) duping their masters. Recently, digital technology has graduated to the different forms of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The obvious effect is that AI-powered technology has continued to permeate human affairs in all its ramifications – economy, healthcare, education, industry, and even commerce etc. The researcher through qualitative methodology investigates on the necessity of having a re-orientation in the Igbo entrepreneurial approach in order to get attuned to the AI-powered technological landscape. The research exposes the inner content of AI, and how it is going to change the Igbo entrepreneurship style of ?gba boi.

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