Google Pulls the Plug on Google Earth AI Image Feature

Google has rolled back its newly launched AI image generation feature for Google Earth less than 24 hours after its release. The "Create Image" tool, powered by Google's Nano Banana 2 technology, allowed users to generate AI based visualizations using Google Earth’s satellite, aerial, and 3D mapping data. The feature enabled users to zoom into any location and create AI generated images by simply entering text prompts.

The decision came after researchers and open source intelligence experts raised concerns that the feature could be misused to create convincing fake satellite images. Experts warned that such AI generated visuals could spread misinformation, mislead the public, and reduce trust in authentic satellite imagery. Demonstrations by researchers showed that the tool could generate sensitive scenarios without sufficient restrictions.

In response, Google said it values the public's trust in Google Earth as a reliable source of geographical information. The company confirmed that while the generated images were watermarked with AI identifiers and were not visible in the main Google Earth experience, it has temporarily removed the feature to introduce stronger safeguards. Google also noted that its SynthID digital watermark helps identify AI generated images through Gemini and Google Lens.