Google’s New AI Feature ‘Ask Photos’ Makes Finding Pictures Effortless

Google is testing a new AI-powered feature called “Ask Photos,” designed to streamline the search for pictures within Google Photos. This feature, first announced at Google I/O 2024 in May, is now available to select users in the US through Google Labs. Ask Photos leverages Google’s advanced Gemini AI models to allow users to ask questions directly related to their photo collection. The app then analyzes the content of the photos to provide answers and displays the most relevant image alongside the response.

According to Google, Ask Photos can handle a variety of tasks, including summarizing events or selecting standout photos from a group. For instance, a user might ask for a summary of activities from a recent vacation or request the best images from a birthday party to create a shared album. Google explained in a blog post, “You could ask for recommendations for the top pictures from your birthday to include in a shared album or get a summary of the highlights from your latest trip to share with friends.”

To use the feature, users will notice that the last tab in Google Photos is replaced by a new “Ask” section, which includes a bottom search bar where users can type questions in natural language. The process of retrieving results is displayed through various stages, labeled “Thinking,” “Searching,” and “Reviewing.” Throughout the process, the Gemini AI logo is visible. Even if the assistant is unable to pinpoint specific photos, it will offer useful details and clues to guide users in their search.

For those interested in trying Ask Photos, there is an option to join a waitlist on Google’s website. Users will still be able to switch back to the traditional image search if preferred. At the same time, Google is upgrading its classic search capabilities within Photos, making it more conversational by allowing users to search for images using natural language questions. Results can be filtered by date or relevance to enhance the user experience. This update is currently rolling out for Android and iOS devices in English, with additional language support planned for the coming weeks.

Google has assured users that no data from Google Photos is used for advertising purposes and that the app is safeguarded with industry-leading security protocols. As part of this update, Google has also replaced the Library tab in Google Photos with a new “Collection” page to make it easier to navigate and find photos and videos.