Google suspends AI image generation feature in Google Earth after backlash

Google announced on Thursday that it had launched an artificial-intelligence feature allowing users to generate custom images within Google Earth. Within hours, some users produced fabricated scenes, including a fictitious nuclear facility in Iran and a simulated aircraft crash at the World Trade Center site in New York. The images, which carried an AI-generated watermark, were shared widely on social media, prompting criticism.

In a statement posted online, a Google spokesperson said, "> We know that people uniquely trust Google Earth for a reliable view of the world. We’ve seen geospatial professionals using this feature for a range of useful purposes, however we’ve also seen people sharing screenshots of generated imagery that appear to violate our policies."

The company added, "> So we’re rolling back this feature in Google Earth while we work on implementing stronger guardrails. It’s important to note that generated images didn’t appear in the main Google Earth experience for others to see and were watermarked as AI generated."

Following the backlash, Google disabled the feature on Friday. Critics argued that the tool could be misused to spread misinformation, especially given the platform’s reputation for accurate geographic data. The episode highlights ongoing debates about the rapid integration of AI into consumer products and the responsibilities of tech firms to prevent misuse.