NAIROBI, Kenya- Google is shaking things up in Kenya’s healthcare system. The tech giant is testing AI-assisted ultrasound gadgets in maternity clinics across the country, aiming to improve access to essential prenatal care services.
With only 16pc of pregnant women in Kenya having access to ultrasound services, this project could be a game-changer.
Partnering with Jacaranda Health, a non-profit focused on maternal health, Google has embarked on an eight-month research project that’s poised to address a significant gap in antenatal care.
Traditional ultrasound machines are bulky, expensive, and energy-intensive, making them inaccessible for many Kenyan hospitals and clinics. Google’s solution is a new line of smaller, more affordable ultrasound devices that use artificial intelligence to improve functionality.
But here’s the kicker: these gadgets don’t just deliver a slimmer design—they’re smarter.
Powered by AI, the software inside these devices has been trained on thousands of images, primarily focused on fetal and breast health. This training enables the devices to detect anomalies more accurately, cutting down on the need for expensive follow-up tests and expert evaluations.
“This technology simplifies acquiring and interpreting ultrasound images,” Google noted in a recent report.
The AI tools allow nurses and technicians with minimal training to perform ultrasounds—a major advantage in resource-constrained environments.
If successful, Google plans to expand these AI ultrasound gadgets throughout Kenya and possibly beyond, revolutionizing access to prenatal care.
Kenya is one of only two countries where Google is currently testing its healthcare-focused AI initiatives. Taiwan is the other, where AI-enabled mammograms are being trialed to enhance the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
This effort reflects Google’s broader push to harness AI in critical areas like healthcare, where advanced tools can make a tangible difference.
Kenya’s significance in this space is underscored by Nairobi hosting one of Google’s two AI research hubs in Africa, with the other in Accra, Ghana. These centers are at the forefront of developing AI technologies tailored to the unique challenges of the continent.
Google’s involvement goes beyond just improving healthcare. According to research conducted by Public First, AI technology could inject over $30 billion into sub-Saharan Africa’s economy.
As AI continues to reshape sectors like healthcare, it’s poised to create more job opportunities, improve public services, and accelerate innovation.
If this pilot in Kenya succeeds, it could mark a significant step forward in using AI for global good. For now, all eyes are on this eight-month trial and the potential it holds for mothers and babies across Kenya.
