New Google Earth AI tool could fuel misinformation, experts say

Google launched a new AI feature in Google Earth that lets users generate and overlay fake scenes on top of real satellite, aerial, or 3D imagery, raising concerns about misinformation and public trust. BBC Verify demonstrated that the tool can create convincing false images, including a collapsed Eiffel Tower, a sinkhole at the Great Pyramid, and military imagery in conflict zones. Experts warn the feature could be exploited by bad actors because the AI-generated content inherits the apparent credibility of Google’s maps and satellite data. Google says it uses invisible watermarks and content protections, but BBC Verify found some prompts can bypass safeguards and that detection tools do not always identify the fake images. The story is more about reputational and trust risks for Google’s AI ecosystem than a direct financial catalyst, though it may increase scrutiny of Google’s AI governance and product safety.