Google has launched AI mode in search across Africa and promised a smarter and more intuitive results.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that Google has rolled out AI Mode in Search for users in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, marking a major step in the company’s push to integrate artificial intelligence into everyday search experiences.
The new feature, powered by a customized version of Google’s latest Gemini 2.5 model, is designed to handle complex, multi-layered questions with greater accuracy, reasoning, and depth. Unlike traditional search, AI Mode allows users to pose nuanced or exploratory queries that would typically require multiple searches.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring AI Mode to our users in the region,” said Alex Okosi, Managing Director of Google Africa. “People here are curious and often have complex questions from planning a trip to grasping a new idea. With AI Mode, we’re reimagining Search so that it not only delivers answers but also opens up new ways to explore content across the web.”
A hallmark of AI Mode is its advanced reasoning engine, which breaks down queries into subtopics, runs multiple searches simultaneously, and aggregates results into more context-rich answers. Google says this approach uncovers highly relevant content while giving users a broader perspective on any subject.
The feature is also multimodal, letting users ask questions through text, voice, or images. With a tap of the microphone or a quick photo upload, search queries can now be submitted in the most natural format for the user.
To support the open web, AI Mode prominently displays links to source material, ensuring that publishers and creators remain visible within the search ecosystem. Google cited data from its AI Overviews project, noting that AI-powered responses often lead users to visit a wider range of websites and spend more time engaging with content.
While AI Mode is designed to provide high-confidence answers, the system will revert to standard search results in cases where certainty is low.
Starting today, AI Mode will be available as a dedicated tab on Google Search results and within the Google app on Android and iOS devices.