As AI-powered photo editing tools become increasingly popular, Google is rolling out new transparency features to help users understand when and how AI has altered their photos. Tools like Google’s Magic Editor and Magic Eraser have made sophisticated edits—such as object removal, lighting adjustments, and cropping—accessible to everyday users. Now, Google Photos will provide clear indicators in the app when these AI tools are used.
Starting next week, Google Photos will display if a photo has been edited with AI tools in the metadata section, alongside other image details such as file name, location, and backup status. This update aligns with Google’s AI Principles, which emphasize transparency in AI usage.
Photos edited with AI features like Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, and Zoom Enhance will carry metadata tags that meet standards from the International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC). These tags signal when generative AI tools have been used, making it clear that AI played a role in enhancing or modifying an image.
For images that incorporate elements from multiple photos—created with non-generative AI tools such as “Best Take” on Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 or “Add Me” on Pixel 9—Google Photos will provide metadata indicating how the image was composed. These features blend images taken within a short period to create a seamless photo, and the new transparency measures will clarify the AI’s involvement in this process.
Google views these updates as a first step toward more comprehensive transparency, with further refinements planned based on user feedback. As AI becomes a standard in photo editing, these features ensure users have a clearer understanding of how their images are altered, promoting informed use of AI-enhanced editing tools.
