Google is making waves with a limited rollout of its Ask Photos feature, powered by the company’s advanced AI, Gemini. The new feature, which was first announced at Google I/O 2024, is now being made available to select users in the U.S. through early access. With Ask Photos, users can search for specific images within their Google Photos library using conversational queries, making photo searches more intuitive and interactive.
According to reports, the Ask Photos feature is currently being rolled out to Android users in the U.S., accessible through a supply-side update. The feature is conveniently located in the bottom-right corner of the Google Photos app, replacing the traditional search tab. Those who signed up for early access through the waitlist last month are now beginning to see the innovative AI tool appear on their devices.
What makes Ask Photos stand out is its ability to handle natural-language queries. Users can describe the image they’re searching for in detail – whether it’s a specific photo from a vacation or a picture of a friend at a party – and Gemini will attempt to retrieve the exact match. Even if the initial search isn’t accurate, users can ask follow-up questions to further refine their search.
The power behind Ask Photos lies in its sophisticated AI processes. According to Google, the AI generates text descriptions for each image and video, incorporates facial recognition, and combines this with time stamps, location data, and even relationship patterns. For instance, if you were on a trip to Goa between 1st October and 5th October, the AI can pull photos taken during that period when prompted. The AI can also estimate the relationship of people in your gallery, making it easier to find specific images that involve certain friends or family members.
The company has reassured users that the data processed by Ask Photos will not be used for targeted ads. Although the system might use human reviewers to improve its accuracy, Google ensures that this review happens only after the user’s account has been disconnected from the data. It focus on privacy should alleviate concerns about how user data is being utilized by the AI.
As the feature gradually rolls out, users are getting a glimpse of the future of AI-assisted search. Ask Photos promises to make navigating large photo libraries effortless, offering users a conversational and highly personalized way to locate their memories. While it’s only available to a limited number of users in the U.S. at the moment, it’s expected that Google will expand its availability once the feature has been fully tested and refined.
