Google Removes Fake AI-Generated Photos of Austria 2070 Published by Environmentalists as Warning

Google Maps announced on Saturday that it was removing dozens of images created using artificial intelligence (AI) by environmental activists to warn of the future catastrophic effects of climate change on Austria's symbolic tourist spots, 7sur7 reports.  

As it became known on Friday after a statement by Austrian climate activists, they published artificially altered photos of alpine lakes and other Austrian landmarks on Google Maps to show the effects of climate change.

According to them, activists from Last Generation Austria uploaded dozens of photos of famous places altered by artificial intelligence, dating them back to 2070.

They wanted to show what these places might look like in 45 years, given the effects of climate change.

The Danube and dry lakes, a muddy glacier, rocky alpine peaks... the Letzte Generation collective published real images this week, but reworked with artificial intelligence as if they were taken in the future, in May 2070.

Google was quick to respond. "We are removing the photos in question, which do not comply with our policy," a spokesperson told AFP, recalling the "ban on content that is not based on real-life experience or inaccurately represents a place."

AFP found photos on Google Maps showing the dried-up bottoms of alpine lakes and high glaciers, with brown rocks shining through.

"We wanted to reach out to people... who are planning their holidays, looking at Google Maps... to see what climate catastrophe will do to our beautiful home country," spokeswoman Marina Hagen-Kanaval told AFP.