Exploring the Human-AI Interface in Entrepreneurial Decision Making Among Startups and Small Businesses in Osun State, Nigeria

This study examined the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in entrepreneurial decision-making, with a focus on the human–AI interface in startups and small businesses. As AI technologies become more embedded in entrepreneurial ecosystems, it is essential to understand how entrepreneurs interpret, adapt, and apply AI-driven insights alongside human judgment. Employing a mixed-methods approach of survey, the research explored how entrepreneurs integrate AI into strategic and operational decisions, as well as the perceived benefits and limitations of this integration. Findings indicated that AI enhances decision-making efficiency, provides predictive insights, and supports opportunity recognition, yet challenges remain in areas such as trust, contextual interpretation, and system accessibility for resource-constrained ventures. Entrepreneurs emphasized the need to balance machine-generated intelligence with human intuition and domain expertise to avoid over-reliance on automated systems. The study contributes to the growing literature on AI in entrepreneurship by highlighting the conditions under which human–AI collaboration is most effective. It further offers practical insights for entrepreneurs seeking to integrate AI tools, policymakers aiming to design supportive ecosystems, and developers building AI systems tailored to the realities of startups and small enterprises. Ultimately, the research underscored the importance of promoting a symbiotic relationship between human decision-makers and AI technologies to achieve sustainable entrepreneurial outcomes.