Digital zombies: The hidden cost of Kenya's digital revolution

Over the past two decades, Kenya has earned global recognition as Africa's digital trailblazer. From pioneering mobile money through M-Pesa to embracing smartphones, digital banking and online government services, technology has transformed how people learn, work, communicate and conduct business.

Now, artificial intelligence is accelerating that transformation at unprecedented speed.

But as the country celebrates its digital success, a more uncomfortable question is emerging.

A new study suggests that this is no longer a distant possibility. The  OnePulse Africa survey on 700 adults in June found that 97 per cent of Kenyan adults use the internet every day, making the country one of the world's most digitally connected societies. More than half spend at least seven hours online daily, exceeding the global average, while nearly one in five remain connected for more than 12 hours each day.

Perhaps the most significant finding is not about social media. It is about artificial intelligence.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they are more dependent on AI tools today than they were just one year ago. Six in ten believe AI assistants, not social media, gaming or betting platforms, will become the biggest driver of future digital dependency. More than 80 per cent already use AI for research, half rely on it for writing, while others increasingly use it for creativity, schoolwork and even decision-making.

For Francis Gichaba, Chief Executive Officer of OnePulse Africa, the findings point to a profound behavioural shift.

"AI has become such a basic point of reference. Whether you want to visit a different town, choose a hotel or decide which product to buy, the first thing many people do is search online or ask AI. Consumers are increasingly making decisions through these digital tools because they have become cheaper, more accessible and easier to use,’’ he said.

The findings suggest Kenya is entering a new phase of its digital journey, where AI is no longer merely a technological novelty but an everyday companion.

The question is whether convenience is beginning to replace cognitive effort.

Communications expert Dr Hesbon Owilla believes the shift goes beyond technology itself to how people relate to one another.

"We are now using AI for companionship. We are using AI to make decisions for us. When AI increasingly thinks for us and performs tasks on our behalf, it inevitably changes the way human beings interact. It becomes the first point of reference in our lives, and that has implications for how we communicate, solve problems and build relationships,’’ he noted.

According to the survey, 37 per cent of AI users believe the technology has already reduced their own thinking, creativity or effort, while 34 per cent admit they now prefer interacting with AI over people.

That concerns psychologists who warn that while AI can improve productivity, it should not replace the mental processes through which people learn, solve problems and develop resilience.

"Technology should support human thinking, not replace it. Our brains grow stronger through problem-solving, reflection and even frustration. When people instinctively turn to AI before attempting to think independently, they risk weakening those cognitive abilities over time,’’ Owilla said.

Owilla noted the broader concern is that digital platforms are deliberately designed to capture and retain users' attention.

"The algorithms are meant to drive addiction. They are meant to be sticky. That is why we are increasingly seeing sleeplessness, anxiety, depression and the fear of missing out. These effects become more pronounced as people spend longer hours scrolling through content.’’

Those concerns extend beyond workplaces and universities. They reach into Kenyan homes.

According to the survey, 58 per cent of parents believe their children now spend significantly less time outdoors because of digital devices, while 42 per cent reported their children become anxious or distressed when those devices are taken away. Nearly four in 10 parents also observed sleep problems linked to screen use.

Meanwhile, AI has already established itself in classrooms. Among teenagers aged 13 to 17, 94 per cent are already using AI tools, primarily for homework and studying, while 69 per cent maintain at least one active social media account.

"Parents bought gadgets because children needed them for school. But the ripple effect is that those same devices are now being used for entertainment, social media and many other online activities that were never the intended purpose,’’ said Gichaba.

According to Owilla, the unintended consequences are becoming increasingly visible. "What began as tools for education have become gateways to social media, cyberbullying, gambling and exposure to adult content. Children are spending more time on screens, becoming detached from outdoor activities and developing these habits much earlier than previous generations.’’

He adds that while more research is needed, the country's increasingly sedentary digital lifestyle is raising concerns about broader health outcomes, with researchers planning longitudinal studies to explore possible links with non-communicable diseases.

For Owilla, these figures reflect a generation growing up with unprecedented access to information but also new developmental risks.

"Children benefit enormously from technology when it complements learning. However, if AI consistently provides answers before children have the opportunity to think critically, analyse information or solve problems themselves, we may inadvertently undermine the very skills education is supposed to build,’’ he explained.

Beyond learning, researchers say constant connectivity is reshaping family life itself.

The study found sleep disruption to be the most commonly reported consequence of excessive digital use. Others cited declining attention spans, reduced physical activity, strained relationships and emotional exhaustion. Nearly half admitted using digital devices during meals, while more than four in ten reported reduced face-to-face interaction.

The irony is difficult to ignore. Kenya has never been more connected digitally, yet many respondents describe becoming increasingly disconnected socially.

Experts say this reflects a broader shift in human behaviour.

"When families are together but each person is immersed in a different digital world, physical presence does not necessarily translate into emotional connection.  Relationships are built through conversation, shared experiences and attentive listening. Those are qualities technology cannot replace,’’ he said.

According to him, conversation should not be about rejecting technology, but using it intentionally.

For Kenya, whose digital transformation has become a model for much of Africa, the next frontier may not simply be expanding connectivity, but ensuring that in an AI-driven future, progress does not come at the expense of attention, creativity, critical thinking and the human relationships that hold society together.