Google Rolls Out Generative AI for Online Search in Africa

Emma Okonji 

Google has rolled out its Search Generative Experience (SGE) in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region as an opt-in experiment in Search Labs, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI-powered) experience and is available in English. 

With new breakthroughs in generative AI, Google is reimagining what a search engine can do and is bringing these powerful new capabilities to Search in a bold and responsible way.

This new technology can unlock entirely new types of questions that Search could not previously answer, and transforms the way information is organised in Search to help people sort through and make sense of what’s out there. 

Google General Manager for Search in Africa, Wambui Kinya, while announcing the initiative at a webinar organised 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.

With SGE’s generative AI capabilities in Search, people will see an AI-powered overview of key information to consider, with links to dig deeper. For anyone who has ever been overwhelmed by the amount of information online, this will help find answers more quickly. 

For instance, with a question like “Does Honey ever Spoil?” Normally, you might break this question down into smaller ones, sort through the vast amount of information available, and then start to piece things together yourself. With generative AI, Search can do some of that heavy lifting.