Google adds AI image verification to Search and plans Chrome rollout

In short: Google is expanding tools in Search, Chrome, and Gemini that can help people check whether an image was made or changed using AI.

What happened

Google announced at Google I/O that it will make “AI verification” easier to access in Google Search and the Chrome browser. The goal is to help people spot deepfakes, which are images or videos that look real but are actually made or altered by AI.

The update focuses on two kinds of markers. One is SynthID, an “invisible watermark” (like a hidden stamp) that Google DeepMind adds to some images created with Google’s AI tools. The other is C2PA Content Credentials, which are bits of attached information (like a label on a package) that can record where a piece of media came from and whether it was edited.

Starting today, Google says Search features like Google Lens, AI Mode, and Circle to Search can check images for SynthID markers. Chrome support is expected to roll out in the coming months. Google says it will let people select or circle an image in Chrome and then ask questions like “Is this made with AI?” in a side panel.

Google will also add C2PA checking into the same verification screens, so users can look for both SynthID and C2PA in one place. C2PA verification is rolling out to the Gemini app today, with Search and Chrome support coming later.

Why it matters

Many websites still do not clearly label AI-made images. Putting these checks into tools people already use, like Search and Chrome, could make it simpler to double-check suspicious images without downloading special apps or visiting separate websites.

Source: The Verge AI