Google has introduced new foundational AI models that can be used to provide real-time geospatial data, helping organisations respond to disasters faster and more efficiently.
The three new Earth AI models (Imagery, Population, and Environment models) let users instantly find objects and discover patterns from satellite imagery. These models are being used to upgrade Google Earth, the tech giant’s 3D mapping platform, with newer Gemini AI capabilities such as Geospatial Reasoning.
Geospatial Reasoning is a framework that draws on different Earth AI models to answer users’ complex questions related to weather forecasts, population maps, satellite imagery, etc. “For example, Geospatial Reasoning empowers the nonprofit GiveDirectly to respond to disasters by combining flood and population density information, helping them identify who needs direct aid most,” Google said in a blog post on October 23.
The Gemini AI capabilities integrated in Google Earth can further be used to spot where a river has dried up or where harmful algae is blooming in order to monitor drinking water supply.
Google Earth AI, our collection of geospatial AI models and datasets, is expanding globally and adding new capabilities. That includes Geospatial Reasoning, powered by Gemini, which automatically connects different Earth AI models – like weather forecasts, population maps +… pic.twitter.com/Jb6cG4jyEY
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) October 23, 2025
“These updates will make it easier to take action with Earth AI,” Google said. Over the years, the Alphabet-owned company has been working on expanding the use of geospatial data to evolve its products such as Google Search and Google Maps into critical disaster-response tools.
“During the devastating 2025 California wildfires, we provided crisis alerts with information from local authorities to 15 million people across Los Angeles while showing them where to find shelter in Google Maps,” the company said.
In India, however, Google faces growing competition from homegrown rivals like Mappls by MapmyIndia. While it may not be as detailed as Google’s navigation service, Mappls has several unique features that look to address navigation challenges unique to the country.
Google’s new Earth AI models are currently only available for trusted testers on Google Cloud. The experimental geospatial reasoning capability can be accessed by Google Earth Professional and Professional Advanced users in the US in the coming weeks. “Businesses can now use their own data alongside our models and datasets, like Imagery Insights, to tackle specific challenges from environmental monitoring to disaster response,” the company said.
Story continues below this ad
What is Google Earth AI?
Launched in July this year, Google Earth AI is the company’s collection of geospatial AI models and datasets to address critical global challenges such as providing detailed weather predictions, flood forecasting, and wildfire detection. They are also designed to enable better urban planning and public health by providing advanced satellite imagery as well as insights on population dynamics and urban mobility.
The collection of AI models that fall under Google Earth AI serve as the building blocks for flood and wildfire alerts sent out through Google Search and Google Maps. They are also used to provide actionable insights through Google Earth, Google Maps, and Google Cloud. Moving forward, Google said it is working with partners to train Earth AI models that can “reason about the physical world as fluently as LLMs reason about the digital one.”
