Google Search Trends Reveal High Interest In AI

Search trends released from Google have shown that people are now searching for Artificial Intelligence (AI) more than ever with interest rising 270 percent since last year – and 400 percent over the last five years.

According to Google, searched for ‘how to use artificial intelligence?’ (+350 percent), ‘What is an AI?’ (+300 percent), ‘How AI works’ (+200 percent) and ‘How to make artificial intelligence’ (+200 percent), have all been trending over the recent past.

Google itself released their conversational AI service Bard in Kenya in English in March and in Swahili in July. The company believes AI has a huge potential to help people, businesses, and communities. Google has committed to pursuing AI responsibly, which includes advocating for responsible regulation, working in partnership with others to get AI right, and prioritising the technology’s purpose for public good.

As well as turning to Google Search to better understand AI, people in Kenya have begun to look to use AI to increase their productivity, capture their imagination and build their careers. Search interest in AI in relation to jobs increased by over 5,000 percent this year – while searches for AI in relation to CV or resume building increased by 1,150 percent and searches in relation to AI courses doubled (+100 percent). Searches for “free AI image generator” (+2,500 percent), “AI music generator” (+2,200 percent), “AI website builder” (+1,600 percent), “AI video generator” (+1,400 percent) and “logo maker AI” (+1,150 percent) all also increased.

Google’s Director for East Africa, Agnes Gathaiya, commented on the numbers noting that people in Kenya are showing such a keen interest in the transformational technology that is AI.

“People in Africa and across the world are already using and benefiting from responsibly developed AI-based tools every day – but the speed of technological advancement is accelerating, and while it’s exhilarating to see these breakthroughs, it’s important that we get it right here in Kenya. We’re committed to working boldly, responsibly and together with Kenya to maximise the potential of AI, while minimising its abuse,” Agnes said.

People in Kenya are also turning to Google looking for resources to build their careers. Searches for AI courses increased by 100 percent, while searches for “online business from home” have increased by 250 percent since last year, and “how to register a business” have increased by 200 percent.

People in Kenya are also looking to gain new certifications, particularly in digital skills – with searches for courses in virtual assistance (+450 percent), data analysis (+200 percent), digital marketing (+200 percent), and cybersecurity (+100 percent) all increasing significantly this year.

Google itself offers digital skills training – and has trained over 7 million people across Africa through its Grow with Google programme since 2015. Google’s Career Certificates also offer a unique opportunity for job seekers to reskill, without the need for a college degree or prior experience: and offers certifications including data analytics, UX design and digital marketing.