Google introduced a new AI capability this week, only to retract it the following day.
By Thursday, users could employ the company’s Nano Banana 2 AI model to create images from Google Earth’s satellite, aerial and 3D visuals. After journalists and researchers warned that the tool could generate convincing satellite imagery for misinformation, the company announced it would revisit its design to strengthen safeguards.
Initially, Google highlighted several use cases for the new Nano Banana feature within Google Earth maps, such as crafting custom infographics to explore unfamiliar locations or reimagining how a place looked in the past.
The tool also let users envision future scenarios, like new infrastructure or personal dream homes. I tested it myself before the feature vanished.
I entered “Central Park” into the Google Earth search bar, zoomed in, and clicked the Create Image button. After a brief prompt, I saw a three‑story dream house appear in the middle of Central Park—slightly unrealistic but editable. I could refine the image and save it to a project.
The feature was available only on desktop and required a few minutes for the image to render. Google initially described the new capability as “creating concepts grounded in the real world” in a Thursday blog post.
Following the backlash, Google issued a statement on X on Friday saying it would remove the feature after seeing screenshots that violated its policies. “So we’re rolling back this feature in Google Earth while we work on implementing stronger guardrails,” the company said. “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.”
There are many AI image‑generation tools, such as Canva and Midjourney. Some focus on realism and let you edit existing images, like Nano Banana. You can create an imaginary world, like a Barbie Dreamhouse, in place of your own home on your map. But there are also significant risks. The false sense of reality can lead to misinformation, deception and skewed narratives.
I felt some relief knowing that you couldn’t alter Google Earth for everyone—only your own map. However, that doesn’t stop people from sharing screenshots or saved map projects depicting alternate realities. When trusted tech companies like Google introduce AI features like this, it becomes even harder to discern truth from fabrication.
