Here’s the problem with putting an AI image generator in Google Earth

Google Earth's new AI image generation feature, Nano Banana, is facing criticism for its potential to create realistic misinformation. Experts warn that despite digital watermarking, the tool can be used to generate deceptive imagery of sensitive global events.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing tension between AI innovation and the responsibility of tech giants to prevent the spread of disinformation.
Now a text prompt is all it takes to generate reality-warping images using Google Earth’s satellite, aerial, and 3D imagery, like these images generated by Digital Digging’s Henk van Ess that show “refugees near the Mexican border” and a bomb crater near a hospital in Gaza.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in