Artificial Intelligence in Records Management: Opportunities and Governance Challenges

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of digital information has fundamentally transformed records
management practices across many institutions in Nigeria, including educational,
administrative, and business settings. Among the technologies, artificial intelligence
has gained prominence due to its potential to improve information processing,
automate routine administrative functions, and support data-driven decision-making.
This study presents a comprehensive qualitative and exploratory analysis of the role of
artificial intelligence in records management, focusing on the current research
landscape and its future implications. The analysis employs a critical interpretive
framework to explore artificial intelligence applications across the records lifecycle,
highlighting governance and regulatory challenges; ethical issues, including bias and
privacy; professional impacts on records managers; and the artificial intelligence
readiness of developing countries. Moreover, it underscores the necessity of
understanding the future trajectory of artificial intelligence in this field, addressing
governance issues, and recognizing the challenges and risks tied to its adoption.
Institutions, especially those in developing nations, need to invest in modern
information and communication technology infrastructure that can support AI-enabled
recordkeeping.