Thanks to the rise of easily accessible AI image generation, trusting the images you see online has never been more complicated. Google's latest update, however, makes it a little easier.

In a recent blog post, Google announced the addition of an "About This Image" tool for Circle to Android search and Google Lens on Android and iOS. Previously available only in Google Search, this feature will provide users with a wealth of information about the images they search for, including their provenance and where they have been shared.

In the example Google cites, an image of a cloud that resembles a UFO is shared. All Android users need to do is enable Circle to Search, swipe up on the search results, and select the "About this image" tab. Once this is done, the user will get a complete list of where the image was shared, including articles and news sources where it may have been used.

Users can also review the image's metadata, including who created the image and how it was taken. This includes information on whether the image is AI-generated or AI-enhanced. It should be noted, however, that the creator of the image is free to add or remove metadata. [Google mentions that if the Google DeepMind SynthID watermark is embedded within a pixel, Google can verify if the image was generated by AI.

The "About This Image" feature is currently available in 40 languages, including German, French, Hindi, Italian, and Portuguese. The feature is currently deployed in Circle to Search on some Android devices, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Pixel 8 Pro, and in Google Lens, which can be downloaded from Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store. On the desktop, users can also use "About This Image" by clicking on the three dots next to the search result.

The increase in generated AI and fake images is always a concern. However, it is great to see that most major companies are working to address this issue with some of the best phones available. Hopefully, this will be further improved so that users can be more certain about the images they see online.