A recent survey conducted by Nairobi-based research agency Nendo and African consumer-insights platform LOOKA found that Kenyans are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence for personal advice and emotional support. The survey revealed that 72% of respondents had used AI to seek emotional support or discuss personal situations, with 54.1% using AI for this purpose at least once a week. This trend suggests that AI is becoming an integral part of Kenyans' personal lives.
The survey also found that younger Kenyans are more likely to use AI for personal matters. Among respondents aged 25 to 34, 81.4% reported using AI for personal situations, compared to 76% of those aged 18 to 24 and 46.8% of those aged 45 to 54. Women were also more likely to use AI for personal matters, with 76% reporting such use compared to 68.4% of men. These findings suggest that AI is becoming a popular tool among younger and more digitally engaged Kenyans.
ChatGPT was the most frequently used AI service, with 84.5% of respondents reporting use in the previous 30 days. Meta AI, available through WhatsApp and Facebook, was used by 66.9% of respondents, while Google's Gemini was used by 57.6%. The survey also found that Kenyans are using multiple AI assistants, with 78.6% of respondents reporting use of at least two assistants. This suggests that Kenyans are exploring different AI options to meet their personal and emotional needs.
The survey also revealed that Kenyans' willingness to rely on AI varies depending on the subject. Career advice was the area where respondents were most likely to trust AI, with 57.9% reporting that they mostly or completely trusted AI advice in this area. Health was also a significant area of AI use, with 48.8% of respondents reporting that they had used AI for health information. However, the survey did not establish whether this advice was accurate or safe.
Respondents broadly reported productivity gains from using AI, with 91.2% saying that AI had made them somewhat or significantly more effective at work or in their studies. However, concerns about the economic consequences of AI remain widespread, with 43.6% of respondents saying that they were at least somewhat worried that AI would affect their jobs or income within three years. The survey also found that access to devices and working environments can affect how AI is used.
The survey also highlighted a localization gap, with 72.5% of respondents saying that AI advice felt as though it came from someone who understood Kenyan life. However, 25.1% of respondents reported receiving advice that felt inconsistent with Kenyan culture or values. There is also demand for better local-language performance, with 72% of respondents saying that they would use AI more if it better understood Kenyan culture and language.
The report was launched on September 29 at Aga Khan University in Nairobi, and its findings are based on a survey of around 1,200 respondents across 18 counties. While the survey's findings are not nationally representative, they provide valuable insights into the growing trend of Kenyans turning to AI for personal advice and emotional support.
Key points
- Younger Kenyans are leading the way in using AI for personal matters.
- ChatGPT is the most frequently used AI service in Kenya.
- Kenyans want AI to better understand their culture and language.
