Google has today announced it is expanding its AI-powered search capabilities to support 13 African languages, including Kiswahili. The update introduces larger language support for AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Google said the languages included in this first phase were selected based on strong search usage trends across the continent. The rollout targets users in countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
These efforts draw on insights from the Waxal language project, an initiative combining machine learning research, linguistic expertise, and community collaboration to strengthen AI capabilities for underrepresented languages.
The 13 Newly Supported Languages
The newly supported African languages are
- Kiswahili
- Somali
- Afrikaans
- Akan
- Amharic
- Hausa
- Kinyarwanda
- Afaan Oromoo
- Sesotho
- Setswana
- Wolof
- Yorùbá
- isiZulu
How to Use AI Mode
Users in Kenya can access the feature through the Google search experience by following these steps.
- Open the Google app on your Android or iOS device or use a mobile browser.
- Tap AI Mode when on the search interface.
- Type or speak a question in a supported language such as Kiswahili.
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Also Read: Google and African Institutions Launch WAXAL to Give 100 Million Africans a Voice in AI