Introduced during the I/O developer conference in May, Google’s AI-powered Ask Photos feature has started to roll out to select users in the US. The feature is an add on to Google Photos that uses natural language processing to find images and memories easier.

The latest update enables users to ask detailed search queries about their photos and collections. For instance, a simple search of ‘birthday’ can be extended to “What themes did we use for my child’s last birthday party?”. The AI in place will search more comprehensively and deliver more relevant results.

The feature works by analyzing various aspects of the given photograph, including metadata and onscreen content. Hence, the search can be extended to “Where did we camp last time in Yosemite?” as well as “What did we eat at the restaurant in Stanley?” If you happen to click on every food item you eat or capture every minute detail, then the AI will happily sort and bring those memories forward if such a need arises. And since the Gemini Model is conversational, if it doesn’t get things right the first time, a little nudge in the right direction will surely help it do its job.

Additionally, conversational AI also makes it easy to find the best photo of a birthday party or a trip or even present a full summary of a whole event.

Google also updated the Google Photos app. Now, users can type descriptive queries and find things more precisely. For instance, a search for “lake” can be extended to “Kayaking on a lake surrounded by mountains,” and the AI will do its magic to locate photos more efficiently.

However, in the face of all this development, privacy remains a significant concern for the users. The search giant has ensured that the personal data that was searched will not be used for advertising. Users are also encouraged to share feedback if they encounter any problems or wish to report misuse of the feature.

As per Google, “To help us improve Ask Photos, queries may be reviewed by humans, but only after being disconnected from your Google Account to protect your privacy. The answers provided by Ask Photos, including your photos and videos, are not reviewed by humans, unless you provide feedback or in rare cases to address abuse or harm. Learn more in our Help Center.”

People waiting to use these features can sign up for a waitlist through Google Labs, as the feature is still in the experimental phase.

As the rollout progresses, the AI-enabled feature is expected to transform the way users interact with their photos. The ability to just search for what you are looking for will make it very easy to retrieve photos with memorable details. All in all, the technology will be used to search for our best memories and special moments spent with family and friends.