New Google Earth AI tool could fuel misinformation, experts say

Experts tell BBC Verify Google's new feature which lets people generate fake satellite images could be misused.

Google Rolls Back Earth AI Tool Over Concern About Fake Images

Alphabet Inc.’s Google announced Friday that it will roll back its new AI image generation feature in Google Earth because some people were using it to create altered satellite imagery that appeared to violate the company’s policies.

By Micah Barkley

Google Earth AI tool raises fears over spread of fake satellite images

Security experts say generative tools risk eroding trust in satellite images used to verify conflict damage and incidents

Google adds AI to satellite images, raising fears of deepfakes in the sky

Journalists, human rights advocates and open source analysts recoiled in horror at the move: "The opportunities for abuse and disinfo are literally boundless," said one.

By Geoff Brumfiel

Google rolls back new satellite image AI tool after backlash

Google rolled back a new feature on Friday that allowed Google Earth users to generate AI visualisations on top of the service’s satellite imagery, following a furious backlash from researchers and open-source intelligence experts about the potential for disinformation. “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,” a Google spokesman said in a...

By Agence France-Presse

Google Earth's new AI image generation function didn't survive a day after users deepfaked disasters

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 funct...

'I planted a nuclear plant in Iran': AI researcher's claim triggers Google reply

An AI researcher demonstrated Google Earth's new feature fabricating crises. He generated images of nuclear plants and refugee situations on real maps. Google stated that all generated images include digital watermarking for identification. The company also mentioned preventing image creation on harmful topics. Protections are continually being updated to address these concerns.

By TOI TECH DESK

Google Rolls Back Earth AI Tool After Backlash Over Fake Satellite Images

The "create image" tool had integrated Google's Nano Banana 2 image-generation technology into Google Earth, letting users zoom into locations and build pictures based on the program's satellite and 3D-mapping data

Google Earth AI feature disabled after outcry

Google ⁠has put the brakes on an AI image-generation feature it had introduced ​in Google Earth ‌just a day earlier, after users shared images that appeared to violate the company’s policies.