Google plans to introduce innovative image search tools designed to identify AI-generated images and other fraudulent content. The upcoming tool, called “About This Image,” will be incorporated into Google’s reverse image search feature.
Once fully launched in the summer, Google’s reverse image searches will indicate the initial time a picture was indexed, offering valuable metadata tags to identify AI-generated images. In today’s era of rampant fake news and increasingly realistic AI-generated visuals, it is crucial to differentiate between genuine photographs and artistic interpretations.
Initially, the “About This Image” feature will be limited to English language searches within the United States. However, it is expected to expand globally in due course.
Users will be able to click on an image, access the “About This Image” feature by selecting the three ellipses in the corner, and gain information about the image’s initial indexing, the website on which it first appeared, and other websites featuring it. For instance, Google demonstrated its capability to identify a fake moon landing image.
Additionally, Google plans to include metadata information in every AI-generated image they produce, simplifying the identification process. It is hoped that other AI generators like Midjourney and Dall-E will follow suit and incorporate similar metadata in their image files.
The upcoming feature, called “About This Image,” will not only provide users with contextual information, such as the indexing date on Google and its initial appearance but also incorporate debunking evidence from news organizations to offer further context.
According to a blog post, Google is collaborating with platforms like Midjourney and Shutterstock to ensure proper labeling of AI-generated content. Google will also label every AI-generated image produced by its tools. Importantly, the introduction of the “About This Image” feature aligns with Google’s forthcoming release of its text-to-image generator, which will include information enabling viewers to recognize images as AI-generated.