Google Photos adds AI meme maker, raising authenticity concerns

Google Photos is reportedly adding an AI-powered “Me Meme” feature that will automatically insert users’ faces into popular meme templates, essentially creating personalized versions of viral internet formats. While the feature promises convenience for casual users, it raises concerns about whether AI-generated content can capture the authentic, imperfect charm that makes memes culturally significant.

How it works: The new feature, discovered in an APK teardown (code analysis) of Google Photos version 7.51.0 by Android Authority, uses backed-up photos to identify clear selfies and automatically places faces into well-known meme formats.

• Users simply pick a photo, choose a meme template, and let AI handle the rest.
• The tool essentially creates an AI-generated version of popular meme-creation websites like Know Your Meme.
• The feature has not officially launched but was spotted in the app’s code.

The authenticity dilemma: Traditional memes derive their appeal from their deliberately rough, imperfect aesthetic that AI might struggle to replicate.

• The best memes typically feature low-resolution images, off-center text, odd fonts, and sometimes misspelled captions.
• This “chaos” creates relatability and humor that polished AI-generated content may lack.
• Memes go viral because they capture genuine feelings and look like something anyone could have made themselves.

Why this matters: The feature represents a broader tension between technological convenience and preserving authentic digital culture.

• Memes are considered one of the core pillars of internet experience, connecting people through shared creativity.
• AI automation risks removing the human touch that makes memes powerful cultural artifacts.
• Over-polished, AI-generated memes may appear suspicious or corporate, losing their grassroots authenticity.

The broader implications: This development reflects ongoing concerns about AI’s impact on creative expression and internet culture.

• People are already creating memes with AI tools, making this potentially just another incremental addition.
• The feature could democratize meme creation for users lacking technical skills.
• However, it also represents another creative outlet potentially being replaced by what critics call “AI slop.”

What the expert thinks: TechRadar’s John-Anthony Disotto acknowledges the feature’s appeal while expressing reservations about its cultural impact.

• “The best memes are unapologetically low effort, and I don’t believe any artificial intelligence can (willingly) recreate that.”
• The concern extends beyond memes to the broader “sterilization of the internet” through AI automation.
• Despite his criticism, Disotto admits intrigue about how Google will implement the feature.