Search interest in “AI” has surged to an unprecedented level globally and in Nigeria, with searches more than doubling (+130%) since the same period last year, according to data released by Google.
The increase reflects a growing curiosity and enthusiasm among Nigerians to explore and leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for career development and creative pursuits.
In Nigeria, searches for “what is AI” rose by 30%, while inquiries about “how to use AI” climbed by 40%.
The country now ranks sixth in Africa and 25th globally for AI search interest, indicating a significant engagement with this transformative technology.
Nigerians are increasingly looking to harness AI to enhance their professional skills and creativity. Some of the trending search queries include “create a logo with AI,” “create CV with AI,” “design website with AI,” “design a flyer with AI,” and “create slides with AI.” These queries have seen a staggering growth in interest, with a surge of over 5,000% in 2024 compared to last year, marking them as ‘breakout’ searches.
In addition to using AI for practical tasks, Nigerians are keen to learn more about the technology itself. Searches for “AI and courses” have increased by 50%, while common questions include “is AI hard to learn,” “how to learn AI,” and “how to access and learn about AI.” The interest in AI’s application in business has more than doubled (+110%), while searches related to AI and jobs have seen a remarkable increase of over 640%.
To support this burgeoning interest, Google has committed to making what it describes as a positive societal impact through AI. The tech giant offers free AI training programs across Africa through its Hustle Academy, an initiative designed for entrepreneurs. Since its inception in 2022, Hustle Academy has empowered over 10,000 businesses with the skills to integrate AI into their operations. Furthermore, Google’s “Google for Startups Accelerator Africa” program continues to nurture AI-focused startups on the continent, with 10 AI-driven ventures selected for its 2024 cohort.
The rising interest in AI isn’t confined to business and creative fields; Nigerians are also increasingly curious about the intersection of AI with science and healthcare. Searches for AI and healthcare more than doubled (+140%), while interest in AI and medicine grew by 50%. Similarly, searches related to AI and STEM, as well as AI and hospitals, both increased by 60%. Additionally, interest in AI and cybersecurity saw an 80% rise.
Olumide Balogun, West Africa Director at Google, highlighted the potential of AI to drive progress across various sectors in Nigeria. “AI has the potential to create opportunities—from the extraordinary to the everyday—for everyone: bringing new waves of innovation, social and economic progress. So it’s no surprise that the people of Nigeria are already looking to make the most of this transformational technology—finding ways for it to boost their career, creativity, and society,” Balogun said.
