In an age where misinformation is a global concern, Google is improving its search capabilities by introducing two features to improve information and visual literacy.
A 2022 Poynter study revealed that 62% of people believe they encounter misinformation on a daily or weekly basis, highlighting the urgent need for effective tools to identify and counter misinformation.
As digital content creators continue to leverage AI to produce images, these features will allow users to assess the context and credibility of images found online.
About this image: A new tool for context
The first update, called “About this image”, is expected to be released in the coming months.
The tool is designed to give users more context around an image, including:
The time when Google first indexed the image and others like it. Place of original appearance of the image. Other online platforms where the image has been displayed, such as news sites, social media and fact-checking websites.
This background information can help users determine the trustworthiness of an image or whether it warrants further examination.
For example, “About this image” might reveal that an image depicting a moon landing was highlighted in news articles when it was found to be AI-generated.
This tool can be accessed through the following means:
Clicking the three dots on an image in Google Images results. Search with an image or screenshot in Google Lens. Swipe up in the Google app when viewing a page with an image. Right-click or long-press on an image in Chrome on desktop and mobile (coming later this year).
AI-generated images get a markup
Google’s second ad is about AI-generated images.
As generative imaging abilities develop, every The AI generated image will have a markup on the original file. This is designed to provide context if the image is located outside of Google’s platforms.
Creators and publishers will have the ability to add similar brands. This means users can see a tag on images in Google Search, marking them as AI-generated.
This feature will be available to multiple publishers, including Midjourney and Shutterstock, in the coming months.
An ongoing commitment to information literacy
The introduction of “About This Image” and AI-generated image tags are the latest in a series of features aimed at helping users make sense of what they find online.
These updates are in line with Google’s ongoing commitment to information literacy.
In recent years, Google has introduced similar features such as the “About this result” tool, which helps you see more information about a source or topic.
As the web continues to evolve, these updates provide users with crucial tools to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and accuracy.
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