Google launched an AI image generation tools feature inside Google Earth on Thursday, then scrapped it by Friday. The tool, powered by the company's Nano Banana 2 model, let users create fabricated images and place them over real maps. Critics said it could be used to spread misinformation.
The feature was prompt-based and allowed any image to be superimposed over real maps. Google Earth has long been a trusted source of visual evidence for journalists and researchers. That trust made the tool's brief existence especially concerning to observers.
A BBC journalist posted sarcastically on Thursday: "There's no way that this new AI image generation feature on Google Earth, one of the most reliable sources of visual evidence for journalists and researchers, could possibly be abused to spread misinformation online."
The post drew immediate attention. Within hours, the criticism spread across social media. By Friday, Google announced it was rolling back the feature entirely.
A Rapid Rollback
Google's reversal came just one day after the feature went live. The company said it had seen both useful applications and problematic behavior. In a statement, Google said: "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 did not specify which policies were violated. It added: "We're rolling back this feature in Google Earth while we work on implementing stronger guardrails."
The quick turnaround suggests internal pressure. It also highlights how fast AI tools can become liabilities when deployed on trusted platforms.
Why Critics Were Alarmed
The core concern was simple. Google Earth is often used to verify locations and events. If anyone could generate fake satellite imagery, the platform's credibility could erode. Critics claimed the tool could be used to create and spread misinformation.
The feature seemed like a recipe for a deluge of geospatial slop. Real maps would mix with fabricated scenes. Users might not easily tell the difference.
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That risk is not hypothetical. In the age of AI, most imagery on the web can be easily manipulated. Deepfakes, synthetic audio, and altered photos are already common. Adding a tool that generates fake map imagery only widens that problem.
A Widespread Problem
Still, the criticism is understandable but also points to a broader reality. AI image generators are sold by Google and many other AI firms. The technology is widely available. Even without Google Earth, anyone can create convincing fake images.
That means the underlying issue is not unique to Google. The company's mistake may have been putting the tool inside a platform known for factual accuracy. The technology itself is not new.
Google's decision to roll back the feature is a recognition of that mismatch. It also signals that the company is paying attention to how its AI tools are used in sensitive contexts.
What Happens Next
Google has not said when the feature might return. The company is working on stronger guardrails. No timeline was provided.
The episode took place in 2026, a year when AI tools have become even more embedded in daily life. The quick reversal shows that even major tech firms can misjudge public reaction.
For now, Google Earth remains without the AI image generation feature. Journalists and researchers can continue using it as a reliable visual reference. The brief experiment, however, serves as a reminder of how fast trust can be tested.