Google Search Now Supports Identification of AI-Generated or Manipulated Images

Google Search Central recently updated its documentation to include support for labeling images that have been altered or extended using AI. Additionally, Google has officially moved the “AI generated” label out of Beta status, signaling its full support in search functionality.

IPTC Photo Metadata

The International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC) is a standards-making body that, among other responsibilities, establishes standards for photo metadata. Photo metadata enables photographs to be labeled with information such as copyright details, licensing terms, and image descriptions.

While these standards are developed by an international press organization, the metadata curated by IPTC is utilized by Google Images beyond its application in Google News. This metadata empowers Google Images to display additional information associated with each image.

AI Image Manipulation Metadata

Google has recently embraced metadata standards related to images manipulated using AI algorithms commonly employed for image alteration, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and generative adversarial networks (GANs).

The new metadata covers two types of AI image manipulation:

Inpainting: commonly understood as enhancing an image by restoring or reconstructing it to fill in missing parts. However, inpainting also encompasses any algorithmic manipulation that adds content to an image.

Outpainting: refers to the algorithmic process of expanding an image beyond its original borders, adding additional content that extends beyond the original photograph.

Label for “AI Generated” – algorithmicMedia Metadata

Google has also removed the Beta status from the algorithmicMedia metadata specifications. This update allows images created with AI to be labeled as “AI Generated” when algorithmicMedia metadata is embedded within the image.

Interestingly, this documentation change has not been noted in Google’s changelog.