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Google has just launched a significant new feature called AI in Search Mode in Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. It’s powered by a highly advanced version of Google’s Gemini 2.5 AI and designed to make search easier.
Instead of searching with keywords, you can ask a question naturally, type a prompt, or even upload a photo. In return, you’ll get a single, detailed answer that typically takes multiple searches to find.
Searching Simplified
Many users understand the hassles of searching for bulky and complex information. AI in Search Mode simplifies search by breaking big questions into smaller topics. The answers it gives are thorough, and they even include links to different websites so you can dive deeper and explore more content from across the internet.
As Google Africa’s Managing Director, Alex Okosi, said, “We’re super excited to bring AI Mode to our users here. We know that people in this region are curious and often ask detailed questions…With AI Mode, Google is reshaping how Search works.” It’s not just about getting answers faster; it’s about having a richer, more expansive search experience.
Search Made Easy With Voice
AI Mode also makes searching incredibly intuitive with its voice and camera features. Instead of typing, you can tap the microphone icon and ask your question out loud. This makes searching feel more natural and opens up the web to everyone. According to Google, the new feature will help people discover new websites beyond the top results.
A Big Commitment to an Open Internet
Google wants to clarify that this AI feature isn’t here to replace traditional search. It’s built on top of the company’s existing search systems and is meant to support a healthy, open internet. Data from similar Google tools shows that AI-powered search takes users to a diverse range of websites. This helps people discover new content creators.
The AI in Search Mode is programmed to automatically revert to regular search results if it isn’t 100% sure about an answer. This ensures the reliability of information. You can find this new AI Mode as a separate tab on the search results page and in the Google app on your phone, whether you’re using an Android or an iPhone.
Check Out Previous Posts On This Site:
Google AI Mode Expands with Smarter Multimodal Search
OpenAI Voice Mode Update Brings Fewer Interruptions and a More Engaging Assistant
AI for Africa Remains Google’s Masterplan
The launch of AI Mode is just one part of Google’s larger plan for the African continent. In July, the company opened an AI Community Centre in Ghana to help with local innovation. It announced a significant 37 million investment in projects under the “AI for Good” initiative. This initiative aims to use AI to tackle some of Africa’s biggest challenges, like urban development, climate change and public health crises.
Google already has two AI labs in Africa—one in Accra, Ghana, and another in Nairobi, Kenya—working on significant issues. For example, in Nigeria, Google’s AI tools help find vulnerable regions for aid distribution, while a partnership with the OnTime Consortium is using AI to improve maternity care.
In Kenya, Google even launched an AI system called MetNet, which forecasts rain. Farmers can access this tool through Gooto to make decisions and fertilise crops so they don’t lose them to an unexpected storm. It’s not just Google, either. Other tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon invest in similar projects, using their resources for social good.
The Ongoing Debate
While all this sounds quite promising, it has its critics. Many have voiced worries that these projects give huge tech companies too much power over vulnerable communities. A notable example is Microsoft’s Project Ellora. When reports emerged that rural workers in India were being exploited to collect speech data for an AI project, it sparked outrage globally. The main reason was that many of the project’s participants lacked access to smartphones and the internet, raising questions of who benefits from the technology.
Google plans to deploy AI for social good as part of its broader plan for Africa. However, as technology advances and expands, it will be crucial to ensure that these developments benefit and empower the communities for whom they are intended.
