Kenya: Google introduces Generative AI for online search in Africa

Google has put forward its Search Generative Experience (SGE) to the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region as an opt-in experiment within Search Labs. This AI-powered experience is available in English.

Google is reshaping the possibilities of a search engine and introducing these robust capabilities to search with innovation and responsibility.

The new technology has the potential to unveil entirely novel types of questions that were previously challenging for Search to address. It revolutionizes how information is organized in Search, aiding users in sifting through and comprehending the vast array of available information.

Google General Manager for Search in Africa, Wambui Kinya, while announcing the initiative at a webinar organized by Google, said the initiative, which is in its experimental stage, would be launched after users and advertisers have had a good feel of it and are satisfied.

“With new generative AI capabilities in Search, we’re now taking more of the work out of searching. We’re imagining a supercharged Search that does the heavy lifting for you so you’ll be able to understand a topic faster, uncover new viewpoints and insights, and get things done more easily. This Search Generative Experience is the first step we’re taking in this journey, and part of our vision to make Search radically more helpful. We’re excited to bring this to the SSA region, and look forward to receiving feedback and iterating on the experience alongside our users over the next few months,” Kinya said.

SGE’s generative AI in Search provides users with an AI-powered summary of crucial information, accompanied by links for deeper exploration. This proves invaluable for those overwhelmed by the vast amount of online information, enabling quicker access to answers.