Nigeria, Ghana and Turkey top global rankings as emerging economies show strongest enthusiasm for AI

Public excitement about artificial intelligence (AI) is strongest in emerging economies, with Nigeria, Ghana and Turkey topping global rankings for positive sentiment, according to recent insights published by DataReportal.

The data, visualised in a global comparison chart, shows that 77% of respondents in Nigeria say they are excited about AI, the highest share among surveyed countries. Ghana follows at 73%, while Turkey records 72%, underlining strong optimism across parts of Africa and the Global South.

Several developing and middle-income countries dominate the upper tier of the rankings. Brazil reports 67% enthusiasm, while Egypt stands at 62%. Vietnam, Israel and the United Arab Emirates each record 61%, indicating widespread anticipation of AI’s potential across diverse regions.

Kenya, Mexico and Colombia follow closely, each with 58%, while Saudi Arabia rounds out the list at 57%.

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According to DataReportal, higher levels of optimism in these markets are often linked to expectations that AI could accelerate economic development, improve access to services and create new job opportunities, particularly in fast-growing digital sectors.

“People in rapidly digitising economies tend to see AI as an enabler rather than a threat,” DataReportal notes in its analysis of global attitudes towards emerging technologies.

While the chart focuses on the most enthusiastic countries, DataReportal’s broader research suggests that attitudes in advanced economies tend to be more cautious. Concerns around job displacement, data privacy and ethical use are more pronounced in countries with mature labour markets and stricter regulatory environments.

Globally, internet penetration now exceeds 66%, with more than 5.3 billion people online, according to DataReportal’s latest figures. This expanding connectivity is accelerating exposure to AI tools, from generative chatbots to automation platforms, shaping public perception in real time.

Demographics and digital adoption key factors

Younger populations appear to play a central role in driving AI enthusiasm. Countries such as Nigeria and Ghana, where median ages are significantly lower than in Europe or North America, tend to exhibit greater openness to technological change.

At the same time, the rapid spread of smartphones, particularly across Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia, is lowering barriers to entry for AI-powered applications, from financial services to education and healthcare.

DataReportal notes that mobile-first internet usage dominates in many of these regions, making AI tools more accessible and relevant to everyday life.

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