Google announced its brand new features “About This Image” and “Image Markups” on the search results page which will assist users to identify if a particular image is a genuine photograph or an AI-generated image.
GIF Courtesy: Google/ This illustrative example shows how people can get more context using About this image.
With the growth in Generative AI, the increased spread of wrong and fake information through AI-generated content and images has been a concern for all. To combat the issue, Google is coming up with advanced features that will be incorporated into the Google search results page to differentiate between real and AI-generated images.
The “About this image” feature introduced by Google enables users to get in-depth detail about the origin and history of the image. The original website where the image was first posted and the related articles that used that image in their reference with help the users understand the actual context of the image and determine if the image is real or fake.
While posting an illustrative example of the feature on their blog post, Google wrote, “You’ll be able to find this tool by clicking on the three dots on an image in Google Images results, searching with an image or screenshot in Google Lens, or by swiping up in the Google App when you’re on a page and come across an image you want to learn more about. Later this year, you’ll also be able to use it by right-clicking or long-pressing on an image in Chrome on desktop and mobile.”
Google also announced it will be rolling out its generative image capabilities and that all the images will be marked up in the original file with a metatag stating that the image has been generated through AI. It will also allow other third-party creators and publishers like Shutterstock, Midjourney, and others to add markup in their images labeling them as AI-generated appearing on the Google search results page.
The company is continuously working towards increasing information literacy and while talking about bringing these features to provide users with more detailed and reliable data through its search engine, Google in their blog post mentioned,
“Google Search is built from the ground up to deliver reliable, helpful, and high-quality information. And these two new features are just the latest ways we’re helping you make sense of what you find online and keep up with an ever-changing web. For example, with our About this result tool, you can quickly see more information about a source or topic, so you can assess whether you can trust what you’re reading.”
It has really become almost impossible to unmask AI-generated images since they’re truly identical to real images. But the new feature by Google is undoubtedly an advantage for all and can help in tackling the issue well.
The feature will initially be available for U.S. users and eventually be rolled out for all users across the world real soon.