The rise of generative AI has brought some truly fascinating capabilities, especially when it comes to creating images that look like real-life scenes using just text prompts. While this technology has opened up a world of creative possibilities, it has also introduced a significant challenge: how do you tell whether an image is real or generated by AI? As AI technology advances, it’s becoming harder to make that distinction. Google, however, might have an answer—or at least, it’s working on one.
 |
| Photo By Trusted Reviews |
Google’s AI Identification Tool in Google Photos
According to a report from Android Authority, Google is developing a new feature for its Google Photos app designed to help users distinguish between real images and AI-generated ones. The feature was discovered in the code of an unreleased version of Google Photos—version 7.3—giving us a glimpse into what Google has planned.
This new feature aims to make it easier for users to identify whether an image was created or edited using AI. The idea is to add transparency about how an image came to be, allowing users to see information about the image’s origin directly within Google Photos.
How the AI Detection Feature Will Work
Though still under development, details from the code suggest that the new AI identification feature will include a “credits” tab for photos. This tab could display information like “Made with Google AI,” and users will be able to access this data through the image's EXIF information—metadata that provides details about when, where, and how a photo was created.
Additionally, Google Photos already marks some AI-generated or edited images with disclaimers like “AI-Generated with Google Photos” or “AI-Generated with Google.” The upcoming feature is expected to expand on this, potentially even identifying the specific AI tool that was used to create or modify the image. This could be particularly useful for understanding how an image was altered, adding a layer of clarity for those who encounter AI-generated content online.
Why This Matters
As AI-generated content continues to flood social media and other online platforms, distinguishing between what’s real and what’s artificial becomes more crucial. For photographers, artists, and everyday users alike, having transparency about an image’s origins can help build trust and maintain authenticity in a digital age where it’s easy to blur the lines.
For Google, this move is part of a broader effort to ensure that its tools and services remain responsible as AI continues to evolve. By building transparency directly into Google Photos, the company aims to address concerns around the misuse of AI-generated images and provide users with a way to identify content that has been altered or created through AI.
When Can You Expect to See This Feature?
As of now, the AI identification tool is still under development, and no official release date has been announced. It’s likely that Google will roll it out with future updates to the Google Photos app. However, it's not yet clear if the feature will be available to all users or if it will be exclusive to Google One subscribers, who already enjoy additional features and benefits within the app.
In the meantime, the upcoming AI detection tool signals Google’s intention to make its generative AI features more transparent and user-friendly. As we wait for this feature to go live, it’s a reminder of the rapidly changing landscape of digital content and the ongoing efforts to keep pace with the evolution of AI technology.