For consumers in Africa, Google launches a generative AI experience on Search

With SGE, Google search results for users in Africa will now feature an AI-powered summary of important information to take into consideration at the top, along with connections to further exploration.

November 9, 2023 Samson Ayodeji

As an opt-in experiment in Search Labs, Google began rolling out its Search Generative Experience (SGE) to users in the Sub-Saharan Africa region yesterday. The AI-powered experience is currently only available in English, the tech giant announced.

Google is adding these potent new capabilities to its Search platform with the new generative AI feature, which will facilitate users’ retrieval and processing of information.

The business promised during a press conference that the models employed in SGE have been trained to meet Search’s exacting standards for quality and that these standards will only be raised with time. These defining systems will also feature extra safeguards, such as restricting the kinds of questions where generative AI capabilities would manifest. These systems have been refined over decades.

Google’s General Manager for Search in Africa, Wambui Kinya, discusses the new feature and emphasizes the benefits of the new generative AI.

“We are starting this journey with our Search Generative Experience, which is a component of our aim to make Search dramatically more helpful. In closing, she says, “We’re thrilled to introduce this to the SSA region and look forward to hearing from users and improving the experience together over the coming months.

What has Google’s SGE changed?

With SGE, users in Africa will now receive, at the top of Google search results, an AI-powered summary of important facts to take into consideration along with links to further information. This will make it easier for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the volume of information available online to locate solutions more quickly.

Key facts to think about and links to further exploration are provided by an AI-powered snapshot.

In order to facilitate users’ investigation, context will also be transferred from one inquiry to the next. You can choose to “ask a follow-up” question or choose a suggested next action just beneath the image.

Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) in use… Follow-up questions at the bottom.

By selecting any of these options, users can switch to a different discussion mode.

As an illustration, consider the query, “Does honey ever spoil?” Typically, you would divide this question into smaller ones, sift through the torrent of data accessible, and begin piecing things together on your own. Some of that labor-intensive work can be done by Search using generative AI.

Users can tap an inquiry such as “What is the oldest honey ever eaten?” or write in a specific follow-up question to see suggested next actions once SGE initially provides an overview. People can learn more about the subject they’re studying naturally thanks to this conversational encounter.

Additionally, Google is displaying links on the results page from a greater variety of sources thanks to SGE, which opens up new avenues for content discovery.

The smartphone version of Google Search Generative Experience (SGE).

Search advertisements will still show up on the website in designated ad spots as part of this new generative experience. Google will keep up its promise of transparency regarding advertisements and ensure that they can be easily distinguished from natural search results.

When Search ads do show up, they will have translucent ad labels with a big black font that reads “Sponsored.”

How to begin

Starting yesterday, users in Africa can use Google SGE through Search Labs on Chrome desktop and the most recent Google App for iOS and Android. To get started, just tap the Labs icon on the Chrome desktop or Google app.

Over the next week, access via the Google app will be made available. African users have the option to test it out and provide direct input to the development staff.

Author

Samson Ayodeji

I am literally obsessed with technology. I love writing about the latest news in technology in different markets, segments and sectors across the world.

View all posts