Google is starting to roll out its new AI-powered "Ask Photos" feature in the U.S., which was first introduced at the company's I/O developer conference in May. Starting Thursday, selected users will have early access to this new search tool within Google Photos. Initially available only to a limited group of customers, the feature is expected to expand to a broader audience over time.
"Ask Photos" uses Google's Gemini AI model, allowing users to search their photo libraries with more complex, natural language queries. Unlike the existing search functions, which could locate specific people, places, or objects, this upgrade lets you ask the AI for more nuanced searches. For example, you could ask for the "best photo from each of the National Parks I visited," and the AI will consider factors like lighting, blurriness, and background clarity to determine which images to display. It will also use location data to find photos taken at national parks.
Beyond photo searches, the feature can answer questions that help jog your memory or organize your pictures. Parents, for instance, could ask which themes they used for their child’s last four birthday parties, and the AI might analyze photos to identify themes like "mermaid," "princess," or "superhero." Or, if you’ve taken pictures of your meals, you could ask, "What did we order last time at this restaurant?" Similarly, it might help recall specific moments like where you camped during your last visit to Yosemite or suggest photos to include in an album summarizing a recent trip.
The AI's understanding extends to your photo gallery's context, including recognizing important people in your life, your hobbies, favorite foods, and other personal details.
To try out "Ask Photos," selected users in the U.S. can find the feature within Google Labs, as it's still in the experimental phase. Google states that the feature's development is guided by its AI Principles, ensuring that personal data in Photos is never used for ad targeting. However, to improve the AI's performance, Google employees might review the queries made by users, although the AI's answers won't be seen by humans unless users provide feedback or report issues.
Users interested in early access can join a waitlist for this new feature.
