Google has discontinued a new artificial intelligence feature in its Google Earth service just one day after its deployment. The tool allowed users to create synthetic images via text prompts and overlay them onto real satellite imagery of locations.
The decision to disable the feature followed a rapid negative reaction from the public and experts who feared the spread of misinformation. Demonstrative examples already included the creation of fake images of refugees at borders and the aftermath of bombings in conflict zones, effectively turning the world map into a platform for deepfakes.
Critics pointed out that the ability to edit reality based on text descriptions blurs the line between factual data and fiction. In response to these risks, the tech giant promptly removed access to the controversial functionality without waiting for the situation to escalate further.
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Why it matters
The industry will likely move toward more rigorous pre-testing of features related to altering visual reality before releasing them to a broad audience. The next signal will be the emergence of new protocols for verifying the authenticity of cartographic data or a moratorium on user editing of satellite imagery by key market players.