Introduction
Datareportal’s most current global research says that Kenya is the best place in the world for ChatGPT, with 42.1% of internet users aged 16 and up using it. That’s more than the UAE (42.0%), Israel (41.4%), the US (19.1%), China (7.3%), and Japan (5.8%).
At first glance, it seems like this is only out of curiosity.
But this is more than just using a new tool.
This is a change.
People in Kenya and many other parts of Africa are using AI in their everyday lives.
Individuals and businesses are utilising technology to learn faster, work smarter, start businesses, make content, think of new ideas, and solve problems in their own communities. This represents a significant shift for Africa, which is often regarded as a continent of tech consumers.
We’re not waiting; we’re taking part.
But this moment comes with both opportunity and some painful questions in my opinion.
The Pros: Africa Is Actively Shaping the AI Landscape
One of the main benefits that people don’t realise is that Africans are helping to train AI systems by utilising them a lot, like ChatGPT. Every query, every interaction, every language nuance adds to how these models perceive our worlds. That’s data, and it matters.
It means we’re not just passive users. We are determining the future of these technologies and pushing AI to grasp our voice, our slang, our context. The more we use these systems, the better they adapt to reflect our needs. This can create opportunities for innovation, localised products, and smarter digital solutions that are rooted in the richness of our culture and diversity.
It also indicates something we often underestimate: our ambition to grow.
This level of adoption indicates that Africans, particularly the youth, are eager to leverage digital tools for learning, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
The Cons: Is AI Highlighting a Gap in Local Content?
At the same time, the focus highlights a crucial concern: what exactly are we feeding these tools? Most AI models are trained on data from the West books, websites, social platforms, history, and beliefs that don’t often mirror African realities. So when we rely excessively on them, are we promoting our invisibility?
This significant usage indicates a gap: we’re consuming and participating, but we’re not yet adding enough original African material, stories, and data into the digital arena. If we don’t own our data, our culture, and our voice in this AI era, we risk becoming data points not decision makers.
There’s also the potential of digital dependency where tools like ChatGPT become a shortcut that impairs deep thinking, or where students and young professionals turn to AI without learning how to think critically or solve problems independently.
And then there’s the subject of data privacy and control. If Africa is driving usage, then who is profiting from that data? Are we participating in how our digital footprint is being utilised, monetised, and secured?
So, Is Kenya and Africa Just Early or Already Ahead?
This is a defining moment. Kenya’s high ranking doesn’t merely say we’re tech-savvy. It says we’re eager to engage in a global digital shift. But participation isn’t enough; we must shape, create, and lead too.
We need to move from using AI tools to constructing them, from consuming material to establishing African-centred digital ecosystems, and from being data producers to being owners and custodians of our digital identity.
The future of employment is digital, the future of learning is dynamic, and the future of opportunity is open to those daring enough to embrace it and challenge it.
Kenya is already pushing forward.
Now here are the questions on my mind:
Are we actually ahead, or merely too early?
Are we moulding the future, or simply responding to it?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Mark Akinware
(King Jedidiah)