Google · Iran · Strait of Hormuz · NPR Technology
Google pauses AI satellite images, after fears of deepfakes in the sky
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An AI-generated image showing multiple fires on and near Kharg Island, an Iranian island in the Persian Gulf that is home to a strategic oil terminal.
Key facts
- An AI-generated image showing multiple fires on and near Kharg Island, an Iranian island in the Persian Gulf that is home to a strategic oil terminal
- NPR could easily generate images of Iran's Kharg Island on fire, and a flooded U.S. Capitol complex
- So they're rolling back this feature in Google Earth while they work on implementing stronger guardrails
- Google Earth imagery is not always the most up-to-date, but its sweeping, high-resolution coverage of the planet can provide important reference imagery for both
Summary
A day after Google unveiled a new feature that allowed users to create AI-generated satellite images with the click of a button on its Google Earth platform, the company announced it was removing the tool. "We've seen geospatial professionals using this feature for a range of useful purposes," Google said . In its initial announcement of the new feature on Thursday, the company said it was designed to work with users' imaginations: "zoom in to a place in Google Earth on web (sic), tap 'create image,' and type whatever you want to see," Bryan Horowitz, a product manager wrote.