Search for AI skills, jobs in Kenya hits record high in 2024

Artificial intelligence's (AI) search interest in Kenya has reached a record high since interest in the technology boomed in the early 2020s, according to the latest search trends data by tech firm Google.

The report shows that in the eight months to August this year, Kenyans have searched for AI more than ever before, ranking Kenya as the fourth-highest country with an interest in AI in Africa and 13th in the world.

"Artificial Intelligence (AI) was searched more than ever in 2024 in Kenya and around the world, with Kenyan users searching for the term 150 per cent more than this time last year," Google says.

It emphasises that searches for 'how to use AI' have nearly doubled (+90%), while searches for 'what is AI' have increased by 60 per cent.

Notably, Google notes in the survey that as Kenyans increasingly search for tech tools, they are looking to build their AI skills and qualifications, with searches for 'AI courses' more than doubling and 'AI jobs' tripling.

"They are also looking 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 by over 5,000 per cent in interest since last year."

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'.

On the other hand, searches for 'AI and business' increased by 60 per cent, while searches for 'AI and startups' increased by 70 per cent.

Search interest in cybersecurity and AI also doubled across the country (+110 per cent), while people showed a clear interest in the future of AI in science.

However, searches for AI and healthcare have doubled by 100%, while searches for AI and medicine have increased by 50%, and searches for AI and hospitals have increased by 90 per cent.

According to Agnes Gathaiya, the country director for Google East Africa, AI has the potential to create opportunities from the extraordinary to the every day for everyone, bringing new waves of innovation and social and economic progress.

"It is therefore 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," Gathaiya said.