At the Google I/O 2024 conference in May, Google introduced a new AI-driven feature called Ask Photos, and now it’s beginning to roll out early access to this functionality.
Ask Photos uses Gemini AI models to allow users to search their photo galleries using conversational language. As Google describes it, the AI can “understand the context of your photo gallery,” enabling you to search for specific people, hobbies, or favorite foods, and retrieve information about those images.
For instance, you might ask the app questions like “Where did we camp last time we went to Yosemite?” or “What did we eat at the hotel in Stanley?” The AI can recognize details such as your camping gear or the dishes on your restaurant table to provide relevant answers.
When Ask Photos is activated, it will replace the traditional magnifying glass icon in the bottom search bar of Photos with a new icon featuring the Gemini star symbol and labeled “Ask.”
By tapping this icon, you can enter your queries in natural language, mimicking a conversational interaction. You can also switch back to the standard search function at any time.
The Gemini logo will appear while the AI processes your request, searching and reviewing your photos before displaying the results. If the AI struggles to find what you’re looking for, you can provide additional hints to refine the search.
Google emphasizes that Ask Photos will not be used for advertising and is safeguarded by the company’s security measures to protect your privacy.
Queries may be reviewed by humans for improvement purposes, but only after being disconnected from your Google Account to ensure privacy.
The answers provided by Ask Photos, including your photos and videos, are not reviewed by humans except in rare cases to address abuse or if you provide feedback.
If you’re part of Google Labs, you might be invited to try Ask Photos early. Otherwise, you can join the waitlist to request early access.
