Google on Thursday, said it has opened its SynthID Detector to the public globally, allowing users to check whether images, videos and audio clips were generated or altered using artificial intelligence (AI).
The Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Google West Africa, Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
The company said the tool, currently available in English, would help users distinguish between human-created and AI-generated content and make more informed decisions about what to trust online.
According to Google, anyone with a Google, Apple or OpenAI account can access the detector and upload media files for verification within seconds.
It said the detector identifies invisible watermarks embedded in AI-generated content by Google and participating technology companies.
Google said SynthID had so far been used to watermark more than 180 billion images and videos, as well as 240,000 years of audio content.
The company said the detector could identify AI-generated media from Google and partners, including OpenAI, NVIDIA and Kakao, while Apple was expected to join soon.
It said the technology was particularly relevant as AI-generated and manipulated content became increasingly common across digital platforms.
“With Nigeria’s next election cycle approaching, the tool could also provide an additional means for journalists, media organisations and members of the public to scrutinise suspicious AI-generated images, videos and audio circulated online,” he said.
He said google first introduced SynthID in 2023 to watermark AI-generated content using imperceptible digital markers.
According to him, an early version of the SynthID Detector was introduced last year for media professionals before being expanded to the general public.
Google said the broader rollout was part of its efforts to help people navigate an increasingly AI-driven online environment with greater confidence.
