•Artificial Intelligence (AI) was searched more than ever in 2024 in Kenya and around the world, with Kenyan users searching for the term 150per cent more than this time last year.
•Search trends in Kenya related to AI continue - with searches for “how to use AI” nearly doubled (+90per cent), while searches for “what is AI” have increased 60per cent.
Kenyans curiosity has driven up the interest in artificial intelligence (AI) searches, soaring by 150 per cent compared to the same period in 2023, Google's latest search trends show.
The data by technology giant Google shows that searches for the term "AI" in Kenya recorded the highest number of searches in 2024.
Searches in Kenya for “what is AI” also increased by 60 per cent, while searches for “how to use AI” increased by 90per cent. Kenya has the fourth highest search interest in AI in Africa - and ranks 13th globally.
Kenyans are not only interested in understanding AI but are also keen on learning how to use it. Searches for "how to use AI" have nearly doubled, with a 90 per cent increase, while inquiries about "what is AI" have grown by 60per cent.
Google East Africa Country Director Agnes Gathaiya, says the growing interest is also reflected in the pursuit of AI skills and opportunities, with searches for "AI course" more than doubling and searches for "AI jobs" tripling.
“AI has the potential to create opportunities - from the extraordinary to the everyday - for everyone: bringing new waves of innovation, social and economic progress," she said.
"So it’s no surprise that the people of Kenya are already looking to make the most of this transformational technology - finding ways to learn more AI skills to boost their career, creativity, and society.”
According to Google, Kenyans are looking to use AI to build their careers and creativity - with trending searches including “AI generated images”, “AI logo maker”, “AI text chat generator” and “ask AI questions” - all of which were ‘breakout’ searches in 2024, growing over 5,000per cent in interest since this time last year.
Searches for “AI jobs” more than tripled (+230 percent), while searches for “AI course” more than doubled (+120 per cent). Top queries around AI and learning include “where to learn AI and machine learning in Kenya”, “learn prompt engineering”, and “what is needed to learn AI”.
Searches for “AI and business” increased by 60per cent, while searches for “AI and startups” increased by 70per cent.
Search interest in cyber security and AI also doubled across Kenya (+110per cent), while people showed a clear interest in the future of AI for science.
Searches for AI and healthcare doubled (+100per cent), while searches for AI and medicine and AI and healthcare increased by 50per cent, while searches for AI and hospitals increased by 90per cent.
Despite the widespread fear that AI will cost jobs, experts reckon that rapid adoption of will naturally create a demand for jobs in that field.
Cynthia Kamau an associate at Ernst and Young says that as companies seek ways to capitalise on the efficiencies and profitability of Al systems, they will need humans to lead the charge.
“This pioneering phase will require software engineers, data scientists, and other specialised personnel,” said Kamau.