Over the past three years, global interest in blockchain technology has declined sharply as artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly attracts attention. According to Google Trends data, public interest in blockchain fell 58% between 2021 and 2024, contrasting with a significant increase in interest in AI during the same period. As of November 3, 2024, blockchain-related search activity only had a score of 30 on Google’s scale, a marked decline from 71 on November 3, 2021. In contrast, interest in AI jumped more than 560%, indicating a major shift in technological direction globally.
Google Trends indicates that blockchain saw its highest search levels between February 14 and 20, 2021, reaching a peak score of 100 over the past five years. However, subsequent years have seen a steady decline in interest, with blockchain searches dropping from 71 in November 2021 to just 30 in November 2024. This downward trend reflects a decrease in curiosity and engagement from the public towards blockchain, while research related to AI has increased significantly.
Regionally, interest in blockchain remains relatively strong in specific areas. Nigeria currently leads blockchain-related searches with a maximum score of 100, followed by Saint Helena and Ghana with scores of 60 and 45 respectively. Cameroon and China also rank in the top five, with scores of 40 and 35. The high search interest in these regions contrasts with the broader global decline, highlighting a unique market dynamic in which blockchain can still maintain relevance due to local economic or technological factors.
Despite an overall decline, some suggest that blockchain interest levels are linked to Bitcoin price trends. This year, for example, the highest search volume on blockchain occurred between March 3 and 9, 2024, coinciding with Bitcoin’s price peak at $73,000. However, even with recent upward trends in Bitcoin prices, interest levels in blockchain technology have continued to decline, indicating that Bitcoin market movements alone can no longer sustain the appeal. wide of the blockchain.
Similarly, Google Trends data shows a decline in interest in Bitcoin despite the recent price rally. On August 3, 2024, search interest for Bitcoin was 62, but by November 3, 2024, this figure had dropped to 34, a 45% drop in just three months. This decline, which is occurring despite positive price action, suggests that Bitcoin’s impact on blockchain’s popularity may be weakening, as broader interest turns to emerging technologies like AI.
At the same time, AI has seen an impressive increase in global search activity, with interest levels reaching 100 as of November 3, 2024. This represents an increase of 52% year-over-year and 560% since 2021, reflecting growing public engagement. with the developments and innovations of AI. In the race for interest in AI, Vietnam and China stand out as the top two countries, with 100 and 73 scores respectively. Romania, Italy and Myanmar follow, with scores of 60, 52 and 50, demonstrating strong global enthusiasm for AI advancements in various regions.
Interest in AI extends beyond general web searches and extends to media as well. On November 2, 2024, search levels related to AI news were recorded at 83, but saw a slight decline, falling to 62 the next day, a 25% decrease in 24 hours. Although AI maintains a dominant presence in web searches and news, this fluctuation may reflect the rapid and evolving nature of news cycles and public attention to specific developments in the field.
The contrast between the waning popularity of blockchain and the explosive growth of AI highlights a notable shift in technology priorities and public curiosity. While AI continues to drive innovation across industries and generate public interest, blockchain’s relevance appears to be limited to niche markets and specific regional interests. This trend highlights a potential realignment within the technology landscape, where AI is now playing a leading role in attracting both global and industrial attention.
