With the recent release of the Google Pixel 8 & 8 Pro, we saw the announcement of an update to the already impressive Google Photo's photography processing and AI (Artificial Intelligence) features. The unveiling has set off a maelstrom of excitement and ethical questions surrounding the implications of this new incredible technology.

Google's New Features

Google shocked the smartphone industry with the Pixel 6 when it released "Magic Eraser". A feature which allows you to easily remove unwanted people and objects from your photos using AI right from the comfort of your smartphone.

Google has advanced their AI Technology to now provide more features which allow the user to edit and manipulate both their photos and videos which include:

Magic Editor - Magic Editor uses generative AI to remove unwanted objects or people from the photo. It can also change the scenery, resize subjects, and even allow a user to move them around.

Audio Magic Eraser - This allows a user to separate audio tracks in a video to reduce distracting sounds.

Best Take - By taking multiple shots of one subject (or a group shot), this feature lets you pick the best face for each subject in a photo using the versions available. You're able to impose other faces from the shots taken onto the candidate you wish to change, letting you create that "perfect picture"

We Can't Believe Our Eyes

Many tech authors and tech enthusiasts are deeply troubled by the ease with which AI enables the creation of fake images. As the era of deepfakes, continues to rise, the distinction between reality and fabrication is becoming alarmingly blurred.

A recent example illustrates the peril of AI-generated content when Money Supermarket expert Martin Lewis was convincingly deep faked into a video that went viral. This misled his followers into investing in a fictitious project.

The ease with which photos can be manipulated raises pressing questions about consent and image alteration. Potentially leading to the misuse of the 'Best Take' feature for bullying or harassment. Although intended to pick the "best shot" it very well could be used to pick the worst.

Are We Creating Memories Or Fabricating Them?

Looking ahead 20 or 30 years, do we want to gaze at heavily edited photos and mistakenly believe they represent our genuine experiences?

While ageing naturally leads to the distortion of memories, photography and videography serve as faithful reminders of precious moments. They capture the essence of events, enabling us to relive them as they truly happened. Giving us a peek into the past, and reminding of us these times we wanted to cherish.

Making memories is one of the most fun things to do in life. Experiencing new places, new food and new things to do. Memories are exactly what they are, memories, mental images or experiences locked away in our minds and in our hearts which we will relive forever.

However, when we allow easy editing to these core memories, are we at risk of losing their original meaning?

Google Magic Editor and many other AI tools, give the average user the ability to change the location of subjects in the photo, perhaps putting you closer to the Pyramids of Egypt. Or transforming the time of day, from an overcast mid-day to a gentle sunrise/sunset glow.

Why bother creating memories when a simple photo tweak can project a vibrant life, while you're actually just lounging on the couch, binge-watching more fabricated TikTok videos?

Mental Health and Seeking Perfection

Previously, such extensive photo editing was reserved for professionals or those with specialized skills. Smartphone users had to invest considerable effort to achieve the same results as the 'Magic Editor.'

Now, with the simplicity of generating manipulated images, everyday users find themselves vulnerable to the trappings of perfectionism. In a world where every image must be flawless, gradually the acceptance of natural imperfections is destroyed. This then begins to take its toll on our mental well-being.

You're Only Hiding If Someone Is Looking For You

Google has said that you don't need to worry though, as they've attached metadata that records when an image has been edited or manipulated in any way.

Although this prevents people from claiming an image or video as an original, no one is really going to go looking for it. Unless social media platforms read this metadata when content is posted and display a badge (highlighting an image has been doctored) no one will know.

Unless you are provided with the image file itself, for example via a data transfer or instant message, only the original owner of the image would have this information. So in essence, it's pretty pointless.

Samsung faced backlash for using AI to deceptively enhance Moon photos with their new telescopic camera lens. Read more here. It's not just an ethical lapse; it's a moral breach, misleading customers about device capabilities, and publicly exposing those who unknowingly shared doctored images.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the advancement of technology is undeniably impressive, it raises important ethical questions.

The responsibility for using these AI features lies with individual users, but there's a compelling case for social media companies and health organizations to step up.

They should actively educate users about the potential risks of AI-generated content and its potential impact on both mental health and overall well-being.

It's crucial to strike a balance between technological innovation and safeguarding our health in this rapidly evolving digital landscape.

As always if you wish to discuss this further, you can follow me on Twitter at GWeaths.