E-Business
Google AI: New Ways to Search in 2024

By Elizabeth Reid, Vice President, Search
For more than two decades, we’ve continuously redefined what a search engine can do — always guided by our mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.

This has gone hand in hand with our ongoing advancements in AI, which help us better understand information in its many forms — whether it’s text, audio, images or videos.
As part of this evolution, we’ve made it easier to express what you’re looking for in ways that are more natural and intuitive. For instance, you can search with your voice, or you can search with your camera using Lens. And recently, we’ve been testing how generative AI’s ability to understand natural language makes it possible to ask questions on Search in a more natural way.
Ultimately, we envision a future where you can search any way, anywhere you want. Now, as we enter 2024, we’re introducing two major updates that bring this vision closer to reality: Circle to Search and an AI-powered multisearch experience. Let’s take a look at what’s ahead.
Circle (or highlight or scribble) to Search
Today we unveiled Circle to Search, a new way to search anything on your Android phone screen without switching apps. With a simple gesture, you can select images, text or videos in whatever way comes naturally to you — like circling, highlighting, scribbling or tapping — and find the information you need right where you are.
When something grabs your interest (like these adorable dog goggles!), it can be disruptive to stop what you’re doing and use another app or browser to start searching for information. But now, whether you’re texting friends, browsing social media or watching a video, you can search what’s on your screen right when your curiosity strikes.
Circle to Search is launching globally on select premium Android smartphones on January 31, starting with the Pixel 8, the Pixel 8 Pro and the new Galaxy S24 Series. And as we’ve shared, Search and Shopping ads will continue to appear in dedicated ad slots throughout the results page.
Point your camera, ask a question, get help from AI
In 2022, we pioneered multisearch in Lens as a new way to search multimodally, with both images and text. Since it launched, multisearch has been best for refining visual queries — like searching for a photo of red sneakers with Lens and adding the word “blue” to find them in your preferred color. But now, thanks to our recent breakthroughs in generative AI, multisearch makes exploring the world easier than ever before.
Starting today, when you point your camera (or upload a photo or screenshot) and ask a question using the Google app, the new multisearch experience will show results with AI-powered insights that go beyond just visual matches. This gives you the ability to ask more complex or nuanced questions about what you see, and quickly find and understand key information.
For example, imagine you’re at a yard sale and you come across a strange-looking board game. There’s no box or instructions, so immediately some questions spring to mind: What is this game and how is it played? This is where the new multisearch experience can help.
Just take a picture of the game, add your question (“How do you play this?”), and you’ll get an AI-powered overview that brings together the most relevant information from across the web. This way, you can quickly find out what the game is called and how to win. And with the AI-powered overview, it’s easy to dig deeper with supporting links and get all the details.
AI-powered overviews on multisearch results are launching this week in English in the U.S. for everyone — no enrollment in Search Labs required. To get started, just look for the Lens camera icon in the Google app for Android or iOS. If you’re outside the U.S. and opted into SGE, you can preview this new experience in the Google app. You’ll also be able to access AI-powered overviews on multisearch results within Circle to Search.
Continuing to boldly experiment with generative AI in Search
This week’s launch of AI-powered insights for multisearch is the result of testing we began last year to see how gen AI can make Search radically more helpful, with our Search Generative Experience (SGE) in Search Labs. We’ve gotten lots of useful feedback from people who’ve chosen to join this experiment, and we’ll continue to offer SGE in Labs as a testbed for bold new ideas.
But our goal is to make AI helpful for everyone, not just early adopters. So moving forward, as we continue to experiment and uncover which applications of gen AI are most helpful, we’ll introduce them into Search more broadly, like we’re doing now with multisearch results.
Today’s updates will make Search even more natural and intuitive, but we’ve only just scratched the surface of what’s possible. To try out the latest capabilities we’re testing, enroll in Search Labs (where available) and opt into the SGE experiment. We hope you’ll join Labs as we continue reimagining the future of Search.
E-Business
LG Electronics Showcases Advanced HVAC Solutions at Mega Clima Nigeria 2026

LG Electronics reaffirmed its position as a leading innovator in climate control and energy-efficient air conditioning solutions with its participation at Mega Clima Nigeria 2026, the 9th International Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Exhibition recognized as the largest HVAC+R sector show in West Africa.

Held at the Landmark Centre, Lagos, the three-day exhibition brought together global manufacturers, distributors, contractors, engineers, and industry stakeholders to explore the future of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technologies across the region.
As one of the featured exhibitors at the event, LG leveraged the platform to showcase a range of advanced HVAC solutions designed to address the growing demand for smarter, more energy-efficient, and scalable cooling systems across residential, commercial, and industrial environments.
With West Africa’s HVAC sector continuing to evolve alongside rapid urbanisation, infrastructure growth, and increasing attention to sustainability, Mega Clima has become a strategic meeting point for conversations around innovation, efficiency, and climate-responsive technologies. The 2026 edition featured over 100 global brands, thousands of professional visitors, technical workshops, and networking opportunities, further positioning the exhibition as a key industry platform within the region.
Showcasing Smart Climate Solutions for Residential and Industrial Needs
At the LG exhibition booth, visitors and stakeholders engaged directly with a range of the company’s advanced HVAC technologies, including the LG Multi V.5 and Multi VS systems, both designed to deliver high-performance cooling while optimising energy consumption.
Speaking during the exhibition, Business Development Manager, LG Electronics Nigeria, Ifeoluwa Babarinsa, highlighted the adaptability and efficiency of the showcased systems, particularly their ability to support multiple indoor units while maintaining low energy consumption.
According to him, the LG Multi V.5 system is designed primarily for industrial and large-scale commercial applications, while the Multi VS system is tailored toward residential use cases, providing flexible solutions for varying environmental and operational demands.
A major highlight of the systems is their scalability, with both solutions capable of connecting to as many as 64 indoor units, offering increased operational flexibility across different building types and installation requirements.
The exhibition also featured several indoor HVAC solutions compatible with the VRF systems, including the Round Cassette, Ceiling Concealed Type Units, and Four-Way Cassette Units.
Particular attention was drawn to the Round Cassette unit, which was presented as an innovative cooling solution suitable for spaces without conventional ceiling structures. The unit also demonstrated enhanced airflow performance through its round-flow air distribution system and faster cooling capabilities.
Through live demonstrations and product engagement sessions, LG provided visitors with practical insight into how modern HVAC technologies can improve comfort, operational efficiency, and energy management across residential and commercial spaces.
Reinforcing LG’s Commitment to Energy Efficiency and Innovation
LG’s participation at Mega Clima Nigeria 2026 reflects the company’s broader commitment to delivering technologies that align with evolving consumer and industry needs, particularly in markets where energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure are becoming increasingly important.
As conversations around environmental sustainability and smart infrastructure continue to shape the future of the HVAC industry, the exhibition provided an opportunity for LG to reinforce the role of intelligent climate solutions in supporting long-term energy optimisation and building performance.
The company’s showcased systems emphasised not only cooling performance, but also operational efficiency, adaptability, and user-focused design, qualities that continue to define LG’s approach to innovation across both consumer and commercial categories.
“This year, we showcased our inverter product range alongside advanced HVAC solutions that reflect LG’s continued commitment to innovation, energy efficiency, and smarter climate control technologies. One of the key highlights was our AI-powered VRF solution, the Multi V i, which represents the next phase of intelligent cooling systems we are introducing into the Nigerian market. As the headquarters of LG Electronics West Africa, Nigeria remains a strategic hub for us, and we remain committed to expanding access to innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers and businesses across the region.”
LG’s presence at the exhibition also reflected its continued investment in engaging industry professionals, technical experts, and business stakeholders through platforms that encourage collaboration, knowledge exchange, and technological advancement within the HVAC sector.
Positioning Technology as a Driver of Smarter Living and Infrastructure
Beyond product displays, Mega Clima Nigeria 2026 created a broader conversation around the future of climate control technologies within rapidly developing urban environments. From commercial buildings and hospitality spaces to residential infrastructure, the demand for efficient and intelligent cooling systems continues to grow across the region.
By participating in one of West Africa’s most influential HVAC exhibitions, LG demonstrated its readiness to support this growth through solutions that combine advanced engineering, smart functionality, and energy-conscious performance.
The exhibition further reinforced LG’s philosophy of creating technologies that improve everyday experiences while supporting the broader goals of efficiency, sustainability, and modern living.
As the HVAC industry continues to evolve across Africa, LG remains committed to delivering solutions that not only respond to present demands, but also anticipate the future needs of businesses, homes, and infrastructure across the continent.
E-Business
Kaspersky Warns that Scammers are Exploiting World Cup 2026 Travellers

Kaspersky experts explain which online offers travellers should be cautious of when planning their trip, to avoid spoiling their experience ahead of the upcoming games.

Thousands of fans are expected to attend the World Cup 2026, and many are already handling their travel logistics, purchasing their flights and other transport tickets, booking accommodation, and arranging everything they need to reach the host cities. As interest grows, so does the number of fraudulent schemes that exploit the fact that fans are actively preparing for their upcoming journey.
In late April 2026, Kaspersky experts detected a campaign exploiting the branding of a well-known transport app, targeting users in Mexico. The interface of a fake Spanish-language website, impersonating one of the services, prompts users to enter their phone number and password in order to “claim prizes.” In reality, the attackers are mimicking a trusted brand and attempting to steal users’ credentials from those lured by the promise of a reward.
Some cybercriminals go “a level lower” and post their offers on the dark web. Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence experts discovered a thread advertising such services, published on a shadow forum in March 2026.
The listings included offers for discounted airline tickets, hotel bookings, and match tickets, allegedly at 20% off the original price. These offers are designed to lure users and can be highly dangerous, ultimately resulting in victims losing both their money and any services they expected to receive.
Entrepreneurs and property owners also in the crosshairs
Cybercriminals are also targeting businesses and entrepreneurs at the intersection of the travel industry, which is also involved in the event. Given the high demand for short-term rentals during the tournament, property owners have become an attractive target for scams.
For example, a fake website was discovered requesting account credentials for a well-known platform. In this way, scammers attempt to gain access to property owner accounts, potentially resulting in unauthorised withdrawals and financial losses.
Another common scheme involves fraudsters attempting to extract money from organisations by posing as representatives of well-known airlines and offering fictitious business partnerships. In these emails, they claim to be launching new projects or business expansion initiatives and state that they are actively seeking suppliers or contractors.
If a company representative responds to such an offer, the scammers typically escalate the deception in a subsequent stage. To enhance credibility, they send forged documents for completion and signature, including supplier registration forms and non-disclosure agreements.
The ultimate objective of the fraudsters in this scheme is to induce the organisation to pay a so-called “deposit,” ostensibly required to secure a priority position in a partner selection list.
According to the claims made in the fraudulent communications, this payment would later be fully refunded once the partnership is formally established. In reality, this promise is entirely deceptive. The perpetrators simply appropriate the funds, and no reimbursement is ever made to the victim organisation.
“The travel sector, particularly when it intersects with major events, is a persistent target for a wide range of scams and fraudulent schemes. For end users, it is often difficult to distinguish at first sight between a legitimate website and a spoofed one, or between genuine marketing communications from a reputable service and scam emails.
“We therefore advise treating overly attractive offers with a high degree of caution in order to protect your personal data and financial resources,” says Anna Lazaricheva, senior spam analyst at Kaspersky.
E-Business
Meta Platforms Contributed $820m to Nigeria’s Economy in 2025 – Report

Meta’s family of platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, contributed an estimated 820 million dollars in annual economic value to Nigeria in 2025, according to a new report released on Wednesday.

Meta
The report titled “Nigeria’s Digital Economy” was conducted by independent research firm, Public First, and commissioned by Meta.
It stated that 14 million Nigerian small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) used Meta platforms in 2025 to start, run and grow their businesses.
According to the report, the platforms contributed about two billion dollars to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while generating an estimated 640 million dollars in productivity gains through instant messaging services.
The report noted that 81 per cent of Nigerian businesses surveyed said Meta platforms had helped them expand their customer base beyond their local areas.
It added that the digital tools had reduced customer acquisition costs and enabled businesses in different parts of the country to access wider markets.
The report also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigeria’s economy, projecting that AI could contribute 22 billion dollars to the country’s GDP by 2035 under favourable conditions.
It stated that 87 per cent of online Nigerians surveyed believed AI products developed within Africa would play an important role in the continent’s economic growth.
Speaking on the findings, Meta’s Director of Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, Balkissa Ide Siddo, described Nigeria as one of the world’s most entrepreneurial and digitally engaged markets.
According to her, Meta platforms are helping to remove traditional barriers to business growth and enabling entrepreneurs to access broader economic opportunities.
“From a tailor in Lagos reaching customers across the country through Instagram, to a small business owner in Kano taking orders on WhatsApp, to a creator in Abuja building a global audience on Facebook, Meta’s platforms are unlocking real economic opportunity,” she said.
Siddo noted that WhatsApp had become a major gateway for AI adoption in Nigeria and across Sub-Saharan Africa.
She added that 93 per cent of Meta AI prompts in the region were made through WhatsApp, indicating that many users were engaging with AI technologies through platforms they already use daily.
The report further stated that 93 per cent of online Nigerian adults surveyed said they felt more connected to wider communities through Meta’s applications.
Also speaking, Alison Neyle, Director at Public First, said the findings reflected the increasing role of digital platforms in supporting entrepreneurship and participation in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
“Nigeria’s digital transformation is creating new opportunities for businesses, creators and consumers alike.
“With the right combination of infrastructure, platform access and open-source AI, the upside for Nigeria is significant,” Neyle said.
The report projected that Meta’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy could rise to two billion dollars annually as digital adoption deepens and internet access improves across the country.
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