Kenya ranks first in the world for AI adoption, with 97.5% of internet-connected adults using at least one AI tool in the past month.
The data comes from the Digital 2026 Mid-Year Global Update report by DataReportal, in collaboration with We Are Social and Manochi.
The report is based on the GWI Core survey of over 240,000 people aged 16 and older across 54 countries, representing more than 80% of the global internet population.
Kenya ranks ahead of the United Arab Emirates at 94.2% and Indonesia at 93.6%.
The US achieved only 71.5%, nearly 10 percentage points below the global average, while the UK reached 62.8%.
Japan is the only market in the survey where under half of the respondents use AI.
Globally, about 4.02 billion adults, equivalent to 48.6% of the world’s population, use AI at least once a month.
The number of people using generative AI platforms increased by 141% in a year, reaching 2.42 billion.
The report counts AI integrated into Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Canva, and standalone platforms like ChatGPT.
The report notes that low- and middle-income countries tend to use AI more frequently than the global average.
Kenya is finalizing its Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Policy 2026, proposing the establishment of an AI Safety Institute, a governing council, public databases, and the African Voice and Language Programme.
The report notes that the figures reflect the frequency of AI use rather than the depth or effectiveness of its application; information searching remains the most common purpose when users utilize AI.
📌 Kenya is emerging as the leading nation in AI adoption with a usage rate of 97.5%, surpassing both the UAE and Indonesia. Meanwhile, generative AI has reached 2.42 billion users globally after surging 141% in a year. Alongside high usage rates, Kenya is also advancing its AI policy framework, including governance, safety, and development of AI supporting local languages, creating a foundation for long-term digital transformation.
