Ai Fever Hits Nigeria: Searches Increase by 130% in 2024

Google Search Trends on Wednesday showed that searches related to artificial intelligence (AI) continue to grow worldwide. Nigeria recorded a 130% increase in 2024.
In a statement, Google West Africa Director Olumide Balogun said in Nigeria, searches for AI increased 130% from January to July 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Balogun mentioned that the search interest in AI has reached record levels both globally and in Nigeria.

He said Nigeria now ranks sixth in search interest in AI in Africa and 25th in search interest in AI globally.
According to the Google director, “Nigerians are also interested in learning more about AI and how best to use it.
“Across Nigeria, the trends show that Google search on cybersecurity and AI are up by 80 percent; on AI and healthcare increased over 140 percent; AI and medicine up by 50 percent among others.
“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 is no surprise that Nigerians are already looking to make the most of this transformational technology and finding ways for it to boost their career, creativity, and society.

“Searches for AI and courses have increased by 50 percent while search interest in AI and business increased by 110 percent while searches for AI and jobs increased by 640 percent,”
Balogun said Google is offering free AI training programs to Africans through Hustle Academy in line with its commitment to AI as a force for positive change in society.
He highlighted that the initiative, designed for entrepreneurs, includes modules specifically tailored to teach participants how to use AI to improve their businesses.
He said Hustle Academy has supported more than 10,000 companies since its inception in 2022.
He said Google is supporting promising AI-centric startups in Africa through its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program.
Through its efforts, Google is also leveraging AI to address some of society’s biggest challenges.
Google’s AI center in Ghana is collaborating with InstaDeep, a machine learning startup, and the United Nations to improve the detection of locust invasions and develop more effective countermeasures.
In Kenya, Google is working with Jacaranda Health and others to improve maternal care.