Google has rolled out its SynthID Detector globally, a tool designed to identify AI-generated images, videos and audio.

The detector reads invisible watermarks embedded by Google’s generative AI systems. It gives users a way to check whether a piece of media was created or altered by AI.

The global rollout comes as regulators and platforms push for clearer labelling of synthetic content. Deepfakes and AI-altered media have raised concerns around elections, fraud and misinformation.

Google has been embedding SynthID watermarks in content from its AI tools for some time. The detector turns that infrastructure into a public verification tool.

Experts say detection tools are one layer of defence. They work best alongside watermarking standards, platform policies and user awareness of how synthetic media spreads.

The tool matters for newsrooms, platforms and ordinary users who encounter viral clips of uncertain origin. A quick check can confirm whether Google’s AI systems generated a file.

Google is not alone in this push. Other labs are testing their own provenance systems as governments consider rules on labelling synthetic media.