Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the most talked-about technologies in the world. From global tech conferences to policy discussions, AI is often portrayed as a powerful force driven by massive computing power, complex algorithms, and vast data sets.
But for households and businesses in East Africa, the real question is far simpler: what does AI actually do for everyday life?
According to William Kamore, Content Manager at LG Electronics East Africa, the answer lies not in technological complexity but in practicality.
In an interview with TechTrends Media, Kamore argues that the future of AI in emerging markets will not be defined by how powerful it is, but by how meaningful it becomes.
“AI only matters when people can feel its impact in their daily lives,” he explains. “For most households, that means saving energy, reducing costs, improving reliability, and making technology easier to use.”
From refrigerators that learn usage patterns to washing machines that optimize water and detergent, LG believes artificial intelligence should quietly improve everyday life rather than overwhelm users with complexity.
Across the global technology industry, AI is often associated with large-scale models, cloud infrastructure, and high-performance computing. While these developments are important, Kamore believes they do not always reflect the realities of consumers in emerging markets.
Instead, he draws a distinction between “powerful AI” and “meaningful AI.”
Powerful AI focuses on scale – bigger models, bigger data sets, and larger computing infrastructure.
Meaningful AI, however, focuses on people. “Meaningful AI is about solving real problems in ways that are practical and accessible,” Kamore says. “It should reduce complexity, not add to it. Technology should lighten the user’s load.”
In East Africa, where energy reliability, cost of living, and infrastructure constraints remain significant challenges, the most impactful AI applications may not be flashy innovations but quiet optimizations embedded into everyday appliances.
Why Energy Is AI’s First Real Use Case in Africa
Electricity costs remain one of the biggest pressures on households and businesses across East Africa. Power interruptions, voltage fluctuations, and rising tariffs mean consumers are increasingly focused on efficiency and durability.
Kamore believes artificial intelligence can play a major role in addressing these challenges.
AI-enabled appliances can monitor how they are used, learn household routines, and adjust performance to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
For example, refrigerators can adapt cooling cycles based on when the door is most frequently opened, washing machines can detect fabric types and dirt levels, optimizing water, detergent, and cycle time. Additionally, air conditioners and compressors can adjust their output dynamically, reducing energy waste while maintaining performance.
These capabilities are powered through LG’s LG ThinQ ecosystem, which integrates artificial intelligence into home appliances to automate energy optimization.
“AI can significantly reduce energy waste,” Kamore explains. “It learns how households use appliances and adjusts power consumption automatically. That translates directly into lower electricity bills and longer-lasting devices.”
In regions where voltage fluctuations are common, AI systems can also help appliances adapt to unstable power conditions, protecting internal components and extending product lifespan.
For consumers, this means fewer breakdowns and more reliable performance.
Designing AI for African Realities
One of the biggest challenges in deploying advanced technologies in emerging markets is the assumption that infrastructure conditions mirror those of developed economies.
In many parts of Africa, however, connectivity, computing resources, and data availability can be limited.
Kamore believes this requires a different philosophy for AI design. “Innovation must be designed for constraint, not abundance,” he says.
This means developing AI systems that can operate locally on devices, rather than relying entirely on cloud infrastructure.
AI should also work effectively with limited data, function on lightweight hardware, and remain usable even when internet connectivity is inconsistent.
Durability and repairability are equally important considerations.
“African-relevant AI should work with what people already have,” Kamore adds. “It shouldn’t require expensive infrastructure or increase the cost of ownership.”
This approach aligns with a broader trend in global technology development known as edge AI, where intelligence is embedded directly within devices rather than centralized in data centers.
For households, this translates to faster performance, greater privacy, and more reliable functionality.
Building Consumer Trust in the Age of AI
As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into everyday products, consumer trust is emerging as one of the most critical factors shaping adoption.
Questions about data privacy, security, and transparency are increasingly important for consumers deciding which technologies to bring into their homes.
Kamore says LG approaches AI development with a “privacy-first” philosophy.
Wherever possible, data processing occurs directly within the appliance itself rather than being transmitted externally.
Users also maintain full control over what information is shared. “Customers should clearly understand what data is being used and why,” Kamore explains. “Transparency, security, and user consent are built into the design from the beginning.”
Security has also become a key focus in connected entertainment systems. According to Kamore, LG’s smart TV platform incorporates LG Shield, a security framework designed to protect user data and device integrity.
In a market where regulatory frameworks for AI are still evolving, companies that build trust early may gain a significant advantage.
Democratizing AI for Everyday Consumers and What Inclusive AI Should Look Like
One concern often raised about artificial intelligence is that it could deepen inequality by making technology more expensive or complicated.
Kamore argues that the opposite should be true. The goal, he says, is to democratize AI, ensuring that intelligent features improve affordability and usability rather than increasing barriers. This means embedding AI in ways that reduce long-term costs through energy savings, fewer repairs, and extended product life.
It also means designing technology that is intuitive for all users, regardless of age, education, or digital experience.
An important part of this strategy is interoperability. LG’s ThinQ ecosystem is designed to work alongside other smart home devices, enabling integration with broader Internet of Things (IoT) environments.
“Technology should be accessible to everyone,” Kamore says. “AI should expand possibilities, not create exclusivity.”
As governments and policymakers across Africa begin shaping regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence, Kamore believes inclusion should remain at the center of the conversation.
For consumers, this means AI technologies that are affordable, practical, energy-efficient and compatible with existing infrastructure
For policymakers, it means balancing consumer protection with innovation.
“Inclusive AI means encouraging solutions that are built for African realities,” he explains. “Not just importing assumptions from other markets.”
Technologies that simplify everyday tasks, improve energy efficiency, and support sustainable consumption could become some of the most impactful AI innovations across the continent.
The Quiet Intelligence of the Future
In many ways, the most powerful form of artificial intelligence may also be the least visible. Rather than demanding attention, AI can work quietly in the background, optimizing performance and reducing inefficiencies without requiring constant user input.
Kamore describes this as “quiet intelligence.” It is the idea that the best technology should feel almost invisible, seamlessly supporting everyday life. “Technology should make life easier, not more complicated,” he says.
For households and businesses navigating rising costs and rapid technological change, this philosophy may prove increasingly valuable.
“Choose innovations that deliver real value, lower running costs, better durability, and reliable performance. AI should not be about chasing trends. It should help people operate more efficiently and sustainably.”
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