Google Earth's new AI image generation function didn't survive a day after users deepfaked disasters
Google pulled its AI image-editing feature from Google Earth less than 24 hours after launch following widespread misuse. Users successfully generated realistic deepfakes of disasters and sensitive geopolitical locations, prompting immediate safety concerns.
Why it matters
This incident serves as a case study for the dangers of integrating generative AI into platforms that rely on public trust and factual accuracy.
Google Earth's AI editing tool created a kaiju attacking Downtown Los Angeles. Google Earth AI Google pulled its AI image-editing tool from Google Earth in less than 24 hours after launch. AI researchers created deepfakes using Google's tool, raising concerns about misinformation. Users have posted deepfake satellite images of attacks and disasters, such as a flood. Google pulled a new AI image-editing feature from Google Earth less than 24 hours after launch, The company launched the function on Thursday, allowing Gemini's Nano Banana 2 image model to access Google Earth and transform locations with text prompts. The function, however, quickly got out of hand. AI researcher Henk van Ess, for example, created extremely realistic deepfakes, including fake refugee camps along the US-Mexico border and a nuclear plant in Iran. Tonight I typed just one sentence into Google Earth and put refugees near the Mexican border.
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