Heidegger's Philosophy of Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Contemporary Nigeria: A Hermeneutical and Empirical Study

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) has become one of the most transformative technological developments of the twenty-first century, reshaping education, healthcare, governance, religion, commerce, security, and interpersonal communication. In Nigeria, AI is increasingly integrated into public and private institutions, creating opportunities for innovation while raising philosophical, ethical, and existential questions concerning human agency, authenticity, responsibility, and technological dependence. Despite the expanding literature on AI ethics, limited scholarly attention has examined these developments through Martin Heidegger’s philosophy of technology within the Nigerian context. This study addresses that gap by integrating Heideggerian hermeneutics with qualitative empirical research. Heidegger’s concepts of Gestell (Enframing), revealing, and authenticity are interpreted alongside interview data obtained from academics, AI professionals, policymakers, students, and religious leaders across Nigeria. The findings indicate that AI functions not merely as an instrumental tool but as a mode of revealing that shapes human understanding, decision-making, and social interaction. Although AI enhances innovation and national development, it also risks reducing human beings to calculable resources and encouraging technological dependence. The study concludes that Heidegger’s philosophy of technology provides a valuable framework for evaluating AI in contemporary Nigeria and proposes a human-centred approach that integrates philosophical reflection, ethical responsibility, cultural sensitivity, and public accountability.