Google Earth’s AI Image Generation Feature Turns One
WHO:
Kottke - Google Earth, users of Google Earth, AI and misinformation expert Henk van Ess
The Register - Google
WHAT:
Kottke - Henk van Ess created images using the feature that depicted refugees near the Mexican border and a nuclear plant in Iran, stating, "What on earth is Google doing?"
The Guardian - Van Ess also generated an image showing a bomb crater near a fake hospital in Gaza, highlighting the troubling potential of the feature.
The Guardian - Users could create images by selecting a location, clicking "create image," and entering a prompt, which led to the generation of troubling imagery, such as "refugees swarming New York."
Kottke - Google Earth launched an AI image generation feature called Nano Banana, allowing users to create images based on prompts, but it was paused after backlash within 48 hours.
The Register - Google stated, "Thanks for your submissions, we appreciate it – unfortunately we have seen people sharing screenshots of generated imagery that appear to violate our policies," leading to the rollback of the feature.
Kottke - Google Earth launched an AI image generation feature, which was paused after user backlash.
The Register - Google introduced AI image generation with a feature called Nano Banana, allowing users to create images based on prompts.
The Register - The AI image generation feature was rolled back within 48 hours due to violations of Google’s policies.
WHERE:
Kottke - The feature was used to create images related to the Mexican border and Iran.
The Register - The feature was integrated into Google Earth, a service trusted for its representation of the physical world.
WHEN:
The Register - The AI image generation feature was launched and then paused within a span of 48 hours.
WHY:
The Guardian - The feature was paused due to concerns that it could lead to misinformation, as satellite imagery is often trusted for its authenticity in reporting global crises.
The Register - The rollback was due to users generating imagery that violated Google’s policies, raising concerns about misinformation.
The Register - The rollback was due to users generating imagery that violated Google’s policies, leading to concerns about misinformation.
HOW:
The Register - Users could zoom into any location on Google Earth, select "Create Image," enter a prompt, and generate altered satellite imagery, which led to the creation of misleading content.
The Register - Users could zoom into any location on Google Earth, select "Create Image," enter a prompt, and generate altered satellite imagery.
(UPDATED August 4, 2026 15:28 UTC)
A new image generation feature has raised significant concerns after Henk van Ess created troubling visuals, including refugees near the Mexican border and a bomb crater near a fake hospital in Gaza, prompting him to question, "What on earth is Google doing?" Users could easily generate such images by selecting a location and entering prompts, which resulted in alarming depictions like "refugees swarming New York." In response to the potential for misinformation, the feature has been paused, as satellite imagery is typically trusted for its authenticity in reporting global crises.
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(UPDATED August 4, 2026 12:41 UTC)
Google Earth recently launched an AI image generation feature called Nano Banana, allowing users to create images based on prompts, but the feature was paused within 48 hours due to backlash. Google explained that the rollback was necessary after users generated imagery that violated their policies, raising concerns about misinformation. The feature enabled users to zoom into any location, select "Create Image," and enter prompts to generate altered satellite imagery, which unfortunately led to the creation of misleading content.
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(UPDATED August 4, 2026 10:39 UTC)
Google has launched a new AI image generation feature called Nano Banana in Google Earth, allowing users to create images based on prompts, but it was quickly paused within 48 hours due to user backlash. The feature, which enabled users to generate imagery related to sensitive topics like the Mexican border and Iran, violated Google’s policies and raised concerns about misinformation. Users could zoom into any location on Google Earth, select "Create Image," and enter their prompts to generate altered satellite imagery, but this capability has now been rolled back.