Google Earth's AI makeover survives one trip around the Sun

Google recently introduced AI image generation to Google Earth, allowing users to virtually reimagine real-world locations, but the feature was quickly rolled back after the internet uncovered issues with misinformation. Users could input prompts to transform satellite imagery, leading to the creation of everything from animal resorts to restorations of ancient ruins.

Despite Google's attempts to reassure users that the output was watermarked as AI-generated, the trust placed in Google Earth as a reliable view of the physical world was called into question. AI misinformation expert Henk van Ess criticized the move, stating, "What on earth is Google doing?" and likening it to the creation of Microsoft Tay, an AI chatbot that spewed hateful tweets in 2016. The feature is currently paused, not permanently cancelled, according to van Ess.