Over the past three years, global interest in blockchain technology has sharply declined as artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly gains attention. According to Google Trends data, public interest in blockchain fell by 58% between 2021 and 2024, contrasting with a significant increase in AI interest during the same period. As of November 3, 2024, blockchain-related search activity scored only 30 on Google’s scale, a marked decrease from 71 on November 3, 2021. In contrast, AI interest surged by over 560%, indicating a major shift in technology focus worldwide.
Google Trends indicates that blockchain saw its highest search levels between February 14 and February 20, 2021, reaching a peak score of 100 within the past five years. However, the following years witnessed a steady decline in interest, with blockchain searches dropping from 71 in November 2021 to just 30 in November 2024. This downward trend reflects diminishing public curiosity and engagement with blockchain, while AI-related searches have risen significantly.
Regionally, interest in blockchain remains relatively strong in specific areas. Nigeria currently leads in blockchain-related searches with a peak score of 100, followed by St. Helena and Ghana with scores of 60 and 45, respectively. Cameroon and China also rank among the top five, with scores of 40 and 35. The high search interest in these regions contrasts with the broader global decline, underscoring unique market dynamics where blockchain may still hold 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 instance, the highest blockchain search volume occurred between March 3 and March 9, 2024, coinciding with Bitcoin’s price peak at $73,000. However, even with recent bullish trends in Bitcoin prices, interest levels in blockchain technology continued to decline, indicating that Bitcoin’s market movements alone may no longer sustain blockchain’s broader appeal.
Similarly, Google Trends data shows declining interest in Bitcoin despite recent price rallies. On August 3, 2024, search interest in Bitcoin scored 62, but by November 3, 2024, this figure had fallen to 34—a 45% drop within just three months. This decline, occurring despite positive price movement, suggests that Bitcoin’s impact on blockchain popularity may be weakening, as broader interest shifts towards emerging technologies like AI.
Meanwhile, AI has seen an impressive rise in global search activity, with the interest level reaching 100 as of November 3, 2024. This marks a 52% year-over-year increase and a 560% rise since 2021, reflecting the public’s increasing engagement with AI developments and innovations. In the race for AI interest, Vietnam and China stand out as the top two countries, scoring 100 and 73, respectively. Romania, Italy, and Myanmar follow, with scores of 60, 52, and 50, showcasing strong global enthusiasm for AI advancements across diverse regions.
Interest in AI extends beyond general web searches to news media as well. On November 2, 2024, AI news-related search levels were recorded at 83 but experienced a slight dip, falling to 62 by the following day—a 25% decrease within 24 hours. While AI maintains a dominant presence in both web and news searches, this fluctuation may reflect the rapid, evolving nature of news cycles and public focus on specific developments within the field.
The contrast between blockchain’s waning popularity and AI’s explosive growth underscores a notable shift in technological priorities and public curiosity. As AI continues to drive innovations across sectors and gain public interest, blockchain’s relevance appears to be narrowing to niche markets and specific regional interests. This trend highlights a potential realignment within the technology landscape, where AI now holds a leading role in attracting both global and industry attention.