Google’s AI sidekick Gemini just introduced a new tool that’s challenging the way we think about digital images – and yes, I’m intrigued.
Now you can input an image into Gemini and ask it whether that picture was made or altered by artificial intelligence using Google’s own tools.
This works thanks to a secret watermarking system developed by Google Research which has already been added to more than 20 billion AI-generated (google.COM) pieces of content, according to Google.
Here’s how it works, in practical terms: You open the Gemini app, upload an image and type a prompt like “Was this created with Google AI?, and the tool runs a check.
If an image carries SynthID’s watermark, Gemini will identify it as AI-generated or tampered. It’s an extra level of transparency to images that can look so real as to feel unbelievable.
Of course, I’m not fooling myself – this isn’t a silver bullet. The verification is of limited use right now: It only works for images that have been made or edited using Google’s own suite of tools.
If someone used a different AI model, then the watermark itself may not exist and Gemini can’t definitively declare “human-made.” So, we still have to keep our skeptical hats on when looking at images online.
Beyond the gimmick, this is a reflection of how trust in digital content is shifting. With deepfakes, hyper-realistic A.I. visuals and endless filters in circulation online already, the addition of a built-in “origin check” on an app we already use feels long overdue.
And from what I understand, Google will eventually bring the same sort of verification to videos and audio.
And if you’re curious about giving it a spin: Upload an image of something you suspect to be AI-made and ask Gemini, see what happens.
But remember: a “no watermark detected” response does not mean it’s authentic – it just could be the origin of your text is not covered by this system.
For creators, it’s worth noting too: If you are using AI-generated content in a public setting, provingance or disclosure or watermarking may soon become part of the expectation.
In short, we’re entering a time when “who made the image” could be as important as “what does the image show?”
And Gemini’s updated product is a step in the right direction to providing people with more control and intelligence in that realm – even if we’re not quite there yet.