Google's new AI tool lets developers watermark and detect text generated by AI models

Who will win the AI race?
Image Credit: Geralt / Pixabay (Image credit: Pixabay)

Google has shared details of SynthID Text, a new tool designed to watermark and detect AI-generated text, which has been released as an open-source.

Available via Hugging Face, developers and businesses can start using SynthID Text to embed watermarks into AI-generated text to make it easier to identify content created by genAI models.

The company hopes its new tool will help prevent misinformation, as well as ensure proper attribution.

Google can now watermark AI text

SynthID Text works by changing the distribution of tokens – the building blocks of AI-generated text, otherwise characterized as groups of letters that make up words or parts of words. Existing AI models already generate text based on probabilities, or guessing which word comes next. All SynthID Text does is change the likelihood of certain words being selected, creating a specific watermark pattern that it can later identify.

Google reckons that the tool can still function after text has been paraphrased or modified slightly, but the company did acknowledge some limitations. For example, short texts, translations and factual responses where there’s little room for variation can limit SynthID Text’s effectiveness. The company also noted thoroughly rewriting a response can “greatly reduce” detector confidence scores.

SynthID Text has already been integrated into Gemini since earlier this year, however Google isn’t the only player in the AI space. OpenAI, which makes the Gemini-rivalling ChatGPT, is unlikely to want to use its competitor’s tool. Instead, it has been exploring its own watermarking technology.

Moreover, it’s unclear how these different systems will interoperate in the future as AI-generated content becomes more widespread on the internet, and whether one system will emerge as an industry standard, or whether legal frameworks will enforce their use.

More from TechRadar Pro

Craig Hale

With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!

Read more
Gemini on a mobile phone.
Worryingly, Google Gemini’s new AI image generation features can be used to remove watermarks from images and I'm concerned
An image created by Google's Imagen3 artificial intelligence image generator.
What is Imagen 3: everything you need to know about Google's text-to-image model
A hand reaching out to touch a futuristic rendering of an AI processor.
Google Cloud unveils new AI Protection security tools, no matter which model you use
DeepDream
What is DeepDream? Everything we know about the AI image tool
ChatGPT
ChatGPT wants to write your next novel, and readers and writers alike should be very worried
AI Education
This AI tool helps content creators block unauthorized scraping and manage bot interactions
Latest in Pro
An image of network security icons for a network encircling a digital blue earth.
Why multi-CDNs are going to shake up 2025
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Broadcom warns of worrying security flaws affecting VMware tools
URL phishing
HaveIBeenPwned owner suffers phishing attack that stole his Mailchimp mailing list
Ransomware
Cl0p resurgence drives ransomware attacks to new highs in 2025
Millwall FC The Den
The UK's first football club mobile network is here - but you probably won't guess which team has launched it
A person using a smartphone with a cybersecurity lock symbol appearing over it.
The growing threat of device code phishing and how to defend against It
Latest in News
Xbox Series X and Xbox wireless controller set to a green background
Xbox Insiders are currently testing a new Game Hub feature that looks useful, but I've got mixed feelings about it
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Broadcom warns of worrying security flaws affecting VMware tools
Microsoft Surface Laptop and Surface Pro devices on a table.
Hate Windows 11’s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC
Oura Ring 4
Activity tracking on Oura Ring is about to get a whole lot better, but I've got bad news about your step count
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Cleaned your Pixel Buds Pro 2 recently? If not, you might be getting worse sound
Google Maps on a phone being held in someone's hand
Google Maps is getting two key upgrades, for easier route planning and quicker access to Gemini AI