Google Photos to add AI detection for enhanced and generated images: Report

According to a report fromAndroid Authority, version 7.3 of the Google Photos app includes hidden code strings that indicate the upcoming functionality. Although the feature is not yet live, clues found in the app’s XML files point to the addition of an “ai_info” tag, which could reveal if an image was created using AI technology. Another tag, referred to as “digital_source_type”, could potentially indicate the specific AI tool or model used, such as Google’s own Gemini or other popular platforms like Midjourney.

This move is believed to be part of Google’s broader efforts to combat the spread of misinformation and deepfakes, which are increasingly used to manipulate public opinion by producing hyper-realistic, digitally altered images and videos. For example, Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan recently filed a lawsuit after a company used deepfake technology to create ads featuring his likeness without permission.

While the exact details of how this information will be presented to users remain unclear, one possibility is that Google could embed AI-related data within the image’s metadata using Exchangeable Image File Format (EXIF) tags. This approach, however, could mean users would need to manually access the metadata page to view AI attribution, unless Google opts for a more visible solution like on-image badges, similar to Instagram’s system for identifying AI-generated content.

Google has not yet announced when the AI attribution feature will become available to users, but its inclusion in the app’s code suggests that a launch could be imminent.

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Published: 10 Oct 2024, 10:22 PM IST