Google Photos Unveils New 'AI Info' Labels to Indicate if an Image Was Edited

Today, distinguishing between an original photo and an AI-edited one has become increasingly challenging, often requiring meticulous scrutiny. Since the tech industry pioneered AI-driven editing, the responsibility of ensuring clarity and transparency around such edits also falls on its shoulders.

Google Photos Introduces AI Labels for Enhanced Transparency

To address this, Google has announced that, starting next week, Google Photos will display whether an image was edited by AI in a new “AI info” tab.

John Fisher, Engineering Director of Google Photos, wrote in a blog post: “Photos edited with tools like Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, and Zoom Enhance already include metadata based on technical standards from the International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC) to indicate that they’ve been edited using generative AI.” He added, “Now, we’re taking it a step further by making this information visible alongside details like the file name, location, and backup status in the Photos app.”

The new “AI info” section will be available on both web and mobile platforms within Google Photos’ image details view.

These labels won’t be limited to generative AI edits; Google will also flag photos that incorporate elements from multiple images, as seen in features like Pixel’s Best Take and Add Me. This increased transparency is a promising step, though users with intent to conceal edits may still find ways to bypass it.

“This work is ongoing, and we’ll continue gathering feedback and evaluating additional solutions to enhance transparency around AI edits,” Fisher stated.

Previously, metadata linked to Google’s AI tools was largely hidden from users, leading to concerns, especially when tools like Magic Editor’s Reimagine feature added elements that weren’t part of the original image. While Google and Samsung both offer AI editing tools, Apple ’s approach is different; its upcoming iOS 18.2 avoids photorealistic content generation entirely. Apple’s Craig Federighi explained that the company is increasingly “concerned” that AI could undermine the trustworthiness of photos as reflections of reality.

Though photo retouching has long existed, today’s generative AI tools enable highly realistic alterations with minimal effort or expertise, making the need for transparency more urgent than ever