Technology giant Google has expanded language support for its Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered search features to include Yorùbá and Hausa, a move aimed at improving digital access for millions of Nigerians who prefer to interact online in their native languages.

The announcement was made on Thursday by Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Google in West Africa.

According to details obtained by Akahi News, the new update enables speakers of the two widely spoken Nigerian languages to access AI-powered search experiences in their mother tongues, making it easier to obtain quick summaries of information and engage in conversational exploration online.

Making AI More Inclusive Across Africa

Kola-Ogunlade explained that the development forms part of Google’s broader strategy to make artificial intelligence more inclusive and accessible across the African continent.

He noted that with the addition of Yorùbá and Hausa, the number of African languages currently supported by Google’s AI search features has risen to 13.

According to him, expanding language support is not merely about translation but about ensuring that AI systems can understand the cultural and informational context of different communities.

Akahi News gathered that the upgrade is designed to enable more Nigerians to interact with search tools in languages they use in everyday communication, thereby improving accessibility and user experience.

Local Language Access for Everyday Users

The company emphasised that the update will make it easier for people from different backgrounds to ask questions, explore ideas, and obtain relevant information online.

For example, a student in Kano can now ask academic questions in Hausa, while a trader in Ibadan may seek business or market advice in Yorùbá.

Kola-Ogunlade stated that Google’s AI search system relies on advanced multimodal and reasoning capabilities embedded in its customised Gemini-powered search technology, allowing the platform to understand and respond accurately in different languages.

He explained that building a truly global search experience requires deep language understanding and local relevance, not just word-for-word translation.

Conversational Search in Native Languages

Another significant aspect of the update is the ability for users to ask complex questions using either text or voice in their preferred language.

According to Google, this allows Nigerians to interact with search in a more natural and conversational way, particularly for those who may find it easier to express themselves in indigenous languages rather than English.

Akahi News learnt that the new feature also helps users receive quick summaries of web content, making online research faster and more intuitive.

Implications for Digital Inclusion in Nigeria

Experts say the expansion of AI-powered search into major Nigerian languages could have far-reaching implications for digital inclusion, especially for individuals who previously faced language barriers while navigating online information.

By integrating indigenous languages into advanced AI tools, technology companies are gradually bridging the gap between global technology and local communication realities.

Analysts also believe the development could benefit education, small businesses, and rural communities, where access to information in familiar languages may significantly improve learning and decision-making.

As artificial intelligence continues to shape how people access information globally, initiatives that support local languages and cultural contexts are becoming increasingly important.

The inclusion of Yorùbá and Hausa in Google’s AI search ecosystem represents another step toward ensuring that technology serves diverse communities more effectively.

For many Nigerians, the ability to search, ask questions, and explore the internet in their native languages may mark a meaningful shift toward a more inclusive digital future.

Akahi News www.akahinews.org