Google Using Machine Learning To Reduce Image Data Consumption While Retaining Quality

Google has begun integrating its RAISR machine learning system into online services. RAISR can enhance the appearance of lower-quality images, which means users can reduce their data consumption. The system is being used to alter some Google+ photos delivered to a "subset of Android devices."

When RAISR is in use, a Google+ user requests an image and Google delivers one that's tiny in comparison to the original file. Quality is maintained through the use of machine learning.

The data usage associated with each photo is reduced up to 75% with the system. Google is already using RAISR on a billion images each week, which has helped to reduce bandwidth usage "by about a third."