Google Photos Increase Photo Editing Transparency With AI

JAKARTA - Google Photos continues to deliver innovations in AI-based photo editing, such as through Magic Editor and Magic Eraser tools, which will introduce greater transparency steps.

In a blog post, Google said that starting next week, Google Photos will display information on when a photo has been edited using AI directly in the app.

"Along with the increasing number of people using this tool, we realize the importance of doing it responsibly with the AI Principle as a guide," said John Fisherman, Technical Director, Google Photos, and Google One.

With this new transparency, edited photos with tools such as Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, and Zoom Enhance will be equipped with metadata based on standards from the International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC), showing the use of a generating AI in editing.

Later, this information will be available in the application, and will be side by side with other details such as file names and storage locations, and backup status in the Photos application.

In addition, Google will also note the use of non-generative features, such as Best Take on Pixel 8 and Pixel 9, as well as Add Me on Pixel 9, which uses several photo elements to produce optimal composition.

"In addition to showing that when the image has been edited using a generative AI, we will also use the IPTC metadata to show when the images are composed of elements of different photos using non-generative features," he continued.

This update allows users to know when photos are composed of different elements taken in the near future. This step is taken to increase transparency and responsibility in the use of AI technology.

Google also stated that it would continue to collect input to develop better solutions around AI-based photo editing.