From helping students research assignments and entrepreneurs draft business proposals to powering customer service chatbots and editing photos, artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming part of everyday life in Kenya.
But as the technology becomes more widespread, so do concerns about its long-term impact.
A new survey by the Pew Research Centre has found that only 16 per cent of Americans believe artificial intelligence will have a mostly positive impact on society over the next 20 years, while 40 per cent expect its impact to be mostly negative.
Another 31 per cent believe AI will bring an equal mix of positive and negative effects, highlighting the uncertainty many people feel about the fast-growing technology.
Although the survey reflects views in the United States, the findings mirror a broader global conversation about how AI is reshaping the way people work, learn and interact.
AI is already part of daily life in Kenya
For many Kenyans, artificial intelligence is no longer something of the future.
Students are using AI tools to simplify research, explain difficult concepts and improve writing. Small business owners are turning to AI to create marketing content, design logos and respond to customer enquiries.
Some financial institutions use AI to detect suspicious transactions, while healthcare providers are beginning to explore AI-assisted diagnostics and administrative support.
AI-powered translation tools are also helping bridge language barriers, while content creators are increasingly relying on AI for video editing, image generation and social media planning.
The technology has quietly become woven into everyday digital life, often without users realising it.
Why are people concerned?
Despite its growing popularity, AI continues to raise important questions.
One of the biggest concerns is employment. As AI becomes more capable of performing repetitive tasks, some experts warn that certain administrative, customer service and content-related jobs could change significantly or become automated.
There are also concerns about misinformation. AI can generate convincing text, images, audio and videos, making it easier to create fake content that can spread quickly online.
During election periods or major news events, such material could make it more difficult for people to distinguish fact from fiction.
Privacy is another issue. Many AI tools rely on large amounts of user data to improve their performance, prompting questions about how personal information is collected, stored and used.
Kenyans are embracing AI but carefully
Technology experts say the conversation in Kenya is less about whether AI should be used and more about how it should be used responsibly.
Many professionals now use AI to save time by drafting documents, summarising lengthy reports or brainstorming ideas.
Teachers are exploring ways to incorporate AI into learning while maintaining academic integrity, and businesses are looking for ways to increase productivity without replacing human expertise.
At the same time, experts encourage users to verify AI-generated information, avoid sharing sensitive personal data with AI platforms and remember that these tools can make mistakes or produce inaccurate responses.
While Americans appear increasingly cautious about AI, attitudes vary across the world.
Global surveys suggest that people in many Asian countries, including India, China and Indonesia, tend to be more optimistic about artificial intelligence and its potential to improve healthcare, education and economic growth.
In contrast, people in the United States and parts of Europe are generally more concerned about issues such as privacy, misinformation and job losses.
These differences highlight how experiences with technology, economic priorities and government policies can shape public opinion.
Finding the right balance
Kenya has earned a reputation as one of Africa's leading technology hubs, with innovation playing a growing role in sectors ranging from agriculture and finance to healthcare and education.
As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, the challenge will be finding the right balance between embracing innovation and protecting people from potential risks.
For many Kenyans, artificial intelligence is already making work faster and information more accessible. But as the Pew survey suggests, public confidence in AI will likely depend not only on what the technology can do, but also on how responsibly it is developed, regulated and used.
Whether AI ultimately proves to be a force for good or a source of concern may depend less on the technology itself and more on the choices people, businesses and governments make in the years ahead.
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