Google is expanding the AI search capabilities in languages other than the usual ten languages, and this time it is adding 13 languages spoken in Africa, including Kiswahili and Somali. The idea is to help people across the continent search the internet in a way that is natural and easy.
According to the tech firm, the new update enables users to explore information, learn new things, and even create content online in their local languages.
In its Thursday announcement, the tech firm explained that the new updates improve its AI Overviews feature, which enables users to receive short descriptions generated by the artificial intelligence technology in response to their search queries, including links for more in-depth reading.
The tech firm also unveiled its new AI Mode, which enables users to interact with its search technology through text, voice, or images to receive more in-depth information on their chosen search topic in their local languages.
According to the tech firm, the 13 languages have been chosen because they have been growing steadily in online search queries across the African continent. However, the new updates have been rolled out to the online communities in Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.
The languages are Kiswahili, Somali, Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Hausa, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Sesotho, Setswana, Wolof, Yorùbá, and isiZulu.
The idea is to help people in Africa, including students, teachers, and entrepreneurs, move from “just hearing about AI” to using it to solve problems in their communities.
The updates are part of the Waxal language project, which aims to help AI systems better understand the languages spoken in Africa. “Waxal” is a combination of the word “Wolof,” a language spoken in West Africa, and the word “speak,” emphasizing the action of speaking.
Google says it is committed to providing AI tools that work well with African languages and are respectful of the culture behind these languages.
To try the AI Mode in Kiswahili or Somali, users will have to open the Google app on their Android or iOS device, or a browser on their phone, and ask in the language they want to use in AI Mode.
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