Nigerians’ AI search increases by 130% as citizens seek ways to boost their careers

The search for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria has surged by 130 per cent.
Search trends in Nigeria related to AI continue, with searches for “what is AI” increasing by more than 30%, while searches for “how to use AI” jumped by 40%.

Nigerians are looking to use AI to build their careers and creativity, with trending searches including “create a logo with AI,” “create CV with AI,” “design website with AI,” “design a flyer with AI,” and “create slides with AI” — all of which were ‘breakout’ searches in 2024, growing over 5,000% in interest since this time last year.

The new search trends released by Google today show that people in Nigeria continue to search for AI more than ever before.

Google began working on AI in 2012, first by training computers to recognize cats on YouTube and released TensorFlow in 2015. In 2016, it published its AI Principles for the first time. It outlined how it pursues AI boldly, responsibly, and collaboratively, as well as the development of AlphaGo and Transformer.

Google is also using AI to address some of society’s biggest challenges. In Ghana, Google’s AI Center is working in collaboration with InstaDeep and the UN to better detect locust outbreaks and implement control measures. Meanwhile, in Kenya, Google is working with Jacaranda Health to improve maternal care.

The report released today shows that Nigeria has the sixth-highest search interest in AI in Africa and ranks 25th in the world. Nigerians are also interested in learning more about AI and how best to use it. Searches for “AI and courses” have increased by 50%, while top questions include “is AI hard to learn,” “how to learn AI,” and “how to access and learn about AI.” Search interest in AI and business more than doubled (+110%), while searches for AI and jobs more than septupled (+640%).

Aligned with its commitment to AI as a force for positive societal change, Google offers free AI training programs to Africans through its Hustle Academy. This initiative, designed for entrepreneurs, includes modules specifically tailored to teach participants how to leverage AI to improve their businesses. Since its launch in 2022, Hustle Academy has empowered over 10,000 businesses.

Additionally, Google supports promising AI-focused startups in Africa through its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program. This program, which assists startups in tackling African challenges, selected 10 AI-driven ventures for its 2024 cohort.

Speaking on the trend, West Africa Director at Google, Olumide Balogun, said: “AI has the potential to create opportunities — from the extraordinary to the every day — 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 careers, creativity, and society.”