Google will help you spot AI-edited images in Google Photos

Google Photos will now be able to identify images generated or edited with AI, marking them in the metadata section. The update will be rolled out next week.

In Short

• Google will now help you identify AI images better
• Starting next week, Google Photos will begin showing if a photo has been edited with AI tools
• The app will provide this information in the metadata section

Editing photos has become a lot easier with AI. Whether it's simply cropping a picture or using more advanced tools like removing unwanted objects or adjusting lighting, AI-powered tools like Google's Magic Editor and Magic Eraser have made photo editing accessible to everyone. But as more people use these AI tools, Google is now introducing new ways to make it clear when an image has been altered using AI.

Starting next week, Google Photos will begin showing if a photo has been edited with AI tools. This update comes as part of Google’s efforts to be more transparent about AI usage, especially in photo editing, as guided by their AI Principles. The app will provide this information in the metadata section, where users can already see details like file name, location, and backup status.

Currently, photos edited using AI-powered tools like Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, and Zoom Enhance already include metadata following technical standards set by the International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC). This metadata shows that generative AI was used in the editing process. With the new update, this information will be more visible, helping users easily identify when AI has played a role in enhancing or altering a photo.

But Google isn't stopping there. For images that are composed of elements from different photos, such as those created using non-generative AI features, the app will also provide more clarity. For example, features like "Best Take" on Pixel 8 and Pixel 9, and "Add Me" on Pixel 9, which combine images taken within a short time frame to create a single blended image, will now carry metadata indicating that the image was created using these tools. This transparency is aimed at helping users understand how their photos have been composed, especially when AI is involved.

Google says that this is just the beginning. The company is still working on refining these transparency measures and will continue gathering feedback to ensure they provide more details about AI edits in the future. As AI becomes more integrated into photo editing, these changes are a step toward ensuring users know exactly how their images have been altered.