For decades, conversations about artificial intelligence revolved around places like Silicon Valley, London, and Beijing. A new global report suggests the future of AI enthusiasm may be shifting in a surprising direction.
According to findings from the Digital 2026 Mid Year Global Update Report, Nigeria has emerged as the world’s most AI enthusiastic country. 77% of internet users aged 16 and above express excitement about artificial intelligence.
Ghana followed closely with 73%, while Turkey and Brazil secured third and fourth positions respectively.
The development challenges the long-standing assumption that advanced technologies are primarily embraced by developed economies.
Developing Nations See AI as Opportunity Not Risk
Even more striking is data from the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute. The organization surveyed more than 61,000 people across 32 countries.
The report found that an overwhelming 92% of respondents in both Nigeria and Ghana believe AI tools are important in their daily lives. In comparison, only 36% of respondents in the United Kingdom and 23% in France expressed similar views.
Experts say the difference lies in how people perceive the technology. While many developed countries focus on concerns about job losses, privacy issues, and automation risks, many developing nations see AI as a tool for opportunity, productivity, and economic advancement.
The optimism gap is particularly significant. Research shows that 58% of people in the Global South believe AI will create more jobs than it destroys, compared to just 35% in the Global North.
Saudi Arabia is also making headlines in the AI race. Reports indicate that 81% of CEOs in the kingdom have integrated Generative AI into their businesses within the last year. Most expect increased profitability and growth from the technology.
Emerging Economies Positioned to Lead AI Innovation
Industry analysts believe countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Brazil are uniquely positioned to benefit from AI.
They can use emerging technologies to solve local challenges in healthcare, education, agriculture, finance, and public services without following the same development path taken by older industrial economies.
The message from the data is becoming difficult to ignore. Artificial intelligence is no longer a story being written exclusively in Silicon Valley or Western capitals.
Some of the strongest enthusiasm, fastest adoption rates, and biggest expectations are now coming from emerging economies.
As the global AI race accelerates, Nigeria’s position at the top of the enthusiasm rankings raises an important question. Can Africa move beyond being a consumer of AI and become one of the world’s leading creators of AI solutions?
The Digital 2026 report and FII Institute survey provide clear evidence that the AI revolution is entering a new phase. Emerging economies are not waiting for permission to embrace transformational technology.
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