During the Google I/O conference, Google announced a forthcoming feature that will enable users to determine if an image is AI-generated. This new functionality, set to launch this summer, leverages hidden information embedded within the image.
As part of its focus on AI, Google unveiled a range of products and features. In a blog post, Cory Dunton, Google’s product manager for search, emphasized the importance of having the complete picture when assessing the reliability of information or images.
The new tool, named “About this image,” provides users with additional details about when the image was initially indexed by Google, its original sources, and whether it has appeared on news or fact-checking websites. Accessible through various methods such as clicking on the three dots above an image in search results, using Google Lens, or swiping up in the Google app, this feature aims to empower users with more context.
As Google prepares to launch its own text-to-image generator, the company commits to including data that indicates if an image was created by AI. By adding markup to the original files, Google intends to provide viewers with the necessary context when encountering AI-generated images outside its platforms. Additionally, image publishers like Shutterstock and Midjourney will introduce similar labels in the upcoming months.
While AI image generators like Midjourney, alongside OpenAI’s DALL-E, have gained recognition, there have been concerns about the misuse of such technology. Midjourney faced scrutiny for creating fake images depicting Donald Trump’s arrest, highlighting the potential ethical implications associated with AI-generated content.
Google’s image verification feature aims to enhance transparency and enable users to make more informed judgments about the authenticity and reliability of images in an AI-driven landscape.
