By Juliet Umeh 

New data released by Google shows that Nigerians are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence, AI to enhance their creativity and boost their careers. 

The latest Google Search trends reveal that AI-related searches in Nigeria have surged by 130 percent compared to this time last year, reflecting the growing interest and curiosity around this transformative technology.

Globally, AI is being searched more than ever before, and Nigeria is no exception. Searches for “what is AI” in Nigeria have jumped by over 30 percent, while “how to use AI” saw a 40 percent increase, indicating a strong desire among Nigerians to understand and harness AI for personal and professional development. 

Nigeria currently ranks as the sixth highest country in Africa and 25th globally in terms of search interest in AI.

The data also highlights a significant rise in searches related to using AI for creative and professional purposes. 

Trending searches in Nigeria include “create a logo with AI,” “create a CV with AI,” “design a website with AI,” and “create slides with AI,” all of which have seen a phenomenal increase of over 5,000 percent in interest since last year. This trend underscores the growing reliance on AI tools to streamline creative processes and enhance job-related tasks.

Nigerians are not only interested in applying AI to their work but also in learning more about the technology itself. Searches for “AI and courses” have surged by 50 percent, while popular questions like “is AI hard to learn,” “how to learn AI,” and “how to access and learn about AI” suggest a keen interest in acquiring AI skills. Additionally, search interest in the intersection of AI with business has more than doubled, while interest in AI-related jobs has skyrocketed by 640 percent 

As part of its commitment to fostering AI as a driver of positive societal change, Google continues to support African communities through initiatives like the Hustle Academy. This program offers free AI training to entrepreneurs, empowering them to leverage AI for business growth. Since its inception in 2022, the Hustle Academy has helped over 10,000 businesses across Africa. Moreover, Google’s Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program supports AI-focused startups, with 10 AI-driven ventures selected for its 2024 cohort.

Interest in the future of AI extends beyond creativity and career enhancement. Nigerians are increasingly exploring the role of AI in critical sectors such as healthcare, cybersecurity, and STEM. Searches for “AI and healthcare” have more than doubled, while interest in “AI and medicine” and “AI and hospitals” has grown by 50 percent and 60 percent, respectively.

Commenting on these trends, West Africa Director at Google, Olumide Balogun, said: “AI has the potential to create opportunities, from the extraordinary to the everyday for everyone, bringing new waves of innovation, social, and economic progress. 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.”