Tag: Chatbot

Nigeria is emerging as one of the world’s most active users of artificial intelligence, according to a new Google-Ipsos study. The report reveals that 88% of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot, placing the country far ahead of the global average of 62%.

Titled Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the Hands of More People, the study highlights how Nigerians are already integrating AI into education, work, and income-generating activities not as a future concept, but as a practical everyday tool.

The data positions Nigeria among the highest adopters of AI chat tools globally, with usage rising sharply over the past year. Google notes that chatbot adoption in Nigeria increased by 18 percentage points, a growth rate that outpaces most regions surveyed.

This level of engagement suggests that AI tools are no longer niche technologies in Nigeria. Instead, they are becoming mainstream digital utilities, used across age groups and professional backgrounds.

One of the strongest use cases identified in the report is learning.

According to the survey: 93% of Nigerians use AI to learn or understand complex topics, compared to a global average of 74%.

Students, professionals, and self-learners are increasingly turning to AI chatbots to:

• Break down difficult subjects
• Explain concepts in simpler terms
• Support exam preparation and research
• Learn new digital and professional skills

Beyond education, AI is playing a growing role in workplace productivity.

The report shows that: 91% of Nigerian respondents use AI to assist with work tasks

These tasks range from:

• Writing and editing content
• Research and information gathering
• Planning and organising projects
• Brainstorming ideas and presentations

Perhaps most notably, the report highlights AI’s role in entrepreneurship and side hustles, a critical part of Nigeria’s economy.

Google’s findings reveal that: 80% of Nigerians use AI to explore business ideas or career opportunities, nearly double the global average of 42%.

In a country where many people combine multiple income sources, AI is becoming a low-cost tool for experimentation and growth.

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, has ignited heated debate with the launch of a new feature in its Grok chatbot, a sexualized anime-inspired AI companion called Ani.

Marketed under Grok’s “Companion Mode,” Ani is designed to flirt, roleplay, and form pseudo-romantic connections with users. But within days of release, Ani has become one of the most controversial AI launches of the year.

What Is Ani?

Ani appears as a goth-themed, blonde anime character. According to xAI, she is meant to provide “personalized companionship,” remembering user details such as names and preferences, while offering playful or intimate responses.

Access to Ani is included in the Super Grok premium plan (about $30 per month). However, multiple reports suggest that some users are able to access Ani’s features outside the subscription tier, including within Grok’s Kids Mode; a revelation that has alarmed parents and child safety advocates.

Reactions and Concerns

Escalating Conversations

Tech journalists who tested Ani reported that interactions often escalate quickly into sexually explicit or BDSM-themed dialogue. A Verge reporter noted that within 24 hours, Ani was already suggesting bondage scenarios.

Child Safety Risks

Critics are raising alarms after Ani was found accessible to minors. Parenting experts have labeled the move “dangerous and irresponsible,” warning that the bot’s flirtatious persona could distort how young users understand relationships and intimacy.

Ethical Debate

While some adult users view Ani as a lighthearted experiment in digital companionship, ethicists argue that the feature risks encouraging emotional dependency and unhealthy attachments. “This is less about innovation and more about exploitation,” one AI researcher told Time.

Broader Context

The launch of Ani comes at a time when AI chatbots are increasingly being used for companionship and emotional support. Companies like Replika and Character.AI have experimented with virtual partners, but xAI’s Ani stands out for its overtly sexualized design and lack of strict safeguards.

The controversy also follows earlier criticism of Grok, which previously drew backlash for spreading misinformation and extremist outputs. Ani’s debut has further amplified concerns about whether Musk’s push for “unfiltered AI” is putting growth ahead of responsibility.

xAI has not issued a formal statement addressing safety concerns surrounding Ani. Meanwhile, regulators and watchdog groups are calling for clearer age restrictions, content filters, and transparency in AI companion design.

As debates continue, Ani is emerging as a flashpoint in the global discussion about the ethics of AI companionship—and a reminder that the line between innovation and irresponsibility remains razor-thin.