Google Introduces AI-Enhanced Photo Search for Select U.S. Users
Google has begun rolling out “Ask Photos,” a new AI-powered search function for Google Photos that was initially unveiled at the Google I/O developer conference in May. This revolutionary technology enables users to search their photo archives using complicated natural language queries. Currently, select users in the United States have “early access” to the function, which is planned to be expanded to a larger audience in the future.
The “Ask Photos” function is powered by Google’s Gemini AI model. This sophisticated AI enables users to search for photographs with more thorough and specific queries than previously. Previously, Google Photos users could search for photographs using simple criteria such as identifying people, locations, or things. However, the new AI improvement greatly expands the breadth of these searches. Users may now ask more complex queries that require the AI to comprehend the content of photographs at a deeper level, such as context, events, and even themes.
For example, at its I/O announcement, Google showcased how users could instruct the AI to identify the “best photo from each of the National Parks I visited.” To choose the “best” shot, the AI considers characteristics such as illumination, clarity, and distortion-free images. It then combines this research with geolocation information to identify photographs shot in national parks.
The possibilities of “Ask Photos” go beyond basic photo retrieval. It may also respond to inquiries about specific events or themes in a user’s photo collection. For example, parents might inquire about the themes utilized for their child’s last four birthday celebrations. The AI will scan the photographs and detect any repeating themes, such as “mermaid,” “superhero,” or “princess,” and notify the parent when these themes are encountered.
This functionality can also assist users recall precise details from previous experiences. For example, if someone routinely pictures their meals, they may inquire, “What did we order last time at this restaurant?” The AI may then scan through relevant photographs and return an answer. Similarly, if a user asks, “Where did we camp last time at Yosemite?” the AI will discover and provide the relevant photographs.
The AI’s comprehension extends to identifying notable persons, hobbies, favorite cuisines, and other noteworthy features in the user’s photo gallery. This tailored approach improves the entire search experience by making it easier for users to locate and revisit certain memories.
“Ask Photos” will first be available exclusively to a restricted set of US users via Google Labs, as it is still in the experimental stage. Google guarantees customers that their private photo data will not be used for ad targeting, and that the functionality was developed in accordance with the company’s AI Principles. However, Google workers may evaluate user inquiries to help enhance the AI over time, but the AI’s responses will not be reviewed until the user offers feedback, reports abuse, or wants support.
Users who want to test “Ask Photos” can join a queue to get early access.
This information was summarized and paraphrased from the original article by Sarah Perez, published on TechCrunch on September 5, 2024. The full article can be found here.
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