HARNESSING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ART MARKETING AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN NIGERIA.

Abstract

Art in Nigeria is a vibrant mirror of culture, history, and resilience, yet many creators struggle to translate talent into sustainable livelihoods. This paper examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to strengthen art marketing and foster economic empowerment across Nigeria’s creative sectors. The aim is to assess practical AI applications such as predictive analytics, image recognition, automated customer engagement, and provenance tracking and to explore how these tools can expand market access, improve pricing accuracy, and increase artists’ incomes. The study is significant because it connects technological innovation with cultural development, offering pathways for inclusive growth, job creation, and increased export earnings from arts and cultural goods. Using a qualitative, human-centered approach informed by current literature and practitioner experiences, the paper finds that AI offers substantial opportunities but also faces barriers including infrastructure gaps, limited digital skills, and policy shortfalls. The conclusion argues that thoughtful, locally adapted AI adoption can catalyze sustainable art markets in Nigeria. Recommendations include investing in digital infrastructure, delivering accessible AI training for artists, developing supportive policy frameworks, and fostering partnerships between technologists and cultural actors. Together, these measures can uplift artists economically, preserve cultural identity, and showcase Nigerian creativity on international markets with public support.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Art Marketing; Economic Empowerment; Nigeria